HSU sends three athletes to mountain biking national championship
The event marks only the second full season of competition for HSU as a varsity program.
HSU Athletes Compete in Separate National Fields
Unlike regular conference competition where club and varsity schools race together, the national fields at Powderhorn are separated. HSU will compete in both short track and cross-country disciplines. The women’s and men’s fields feature large competitive pools, carrying more than 60 and 80 riders respectively.
Sophomore Sara Shannon returns for her second appearance at the national championship. Shannon enters the event following a win at the MSU conference race, positioning her for a strong showing in the women’s varsity division. Coach Andress noted Shannon’s preparation, stating, “Sara is a very talented rider who is incredibly dedicated to her craft. She works hard and is very experienced in national-level competition.”
Daniel Orr and Ethan Jenkins Join National Roster
Sophomore Daniel Orr joins Shannon as a national qualifier after advancing rapidly through racing categories despite a broken collarbone last year. Coach Andress evaluated Orr’s trajectory by noting, “Daniel has spent a lot of time developing his mountain biking skills, and when you couple that with his strong fitness level and competitiveness, he has proven he can compete with the best of the best in our conference. It will be exciting to see how he does at his first nationals in mountain biking.”
Newcomer Ethan Jenkins rounds out the three-athlete roster. Jenkins brings over a decade of mountain biking experience to the varsity program, making him one of the youngest riders in the national field despite his extensive background. Coach Andress assessed his impact by stating, “We knew Ethan would make a strong showing right out of the gate coming into college, and he has proven he can do just that. The sky is the limit for this young man.”
Teams from all 11 collegiate conferences across the United States are gathered in Grand Junction for the five-day event.