On Sunday, the Americans stepped up to the 8-meter hill to compete in the USA Cycling National Championship in the Elite, U23, and Junior categories. This was the first-ever U23 field since the category is now officially recognized by the UCI as a way to bridge the gap between Junior and Elite racing.
After a morning full of motos, it all came down to the main event. In the past 12 seasons, since the National Championships have contended on the 8-meter supercross hill, the Elite Men’s National Championship sleeve has been worn by one of three Olympians, Connor Fields, Nic Long, and Corben Sharrah. Fields was out this year due to his injury from the Tokyo Olympics, and Long has retired to the Vet Pro class, leaving Sharrah as the only one left in the group to keep the tradition going.
In the Elite Men’s race, former UCI World Champion Corben Sharrah (Tucson, Ariz.; Daylight Cycles) took the holeshot and never looked back grabbing yet another national title. He narrowly beat out Kamren Larsen (Bakersfield, Calif.; Haro Bikes) and Lucas Howes (Tempe, Ariz.; Premier Racing) who finished in second and third, respectively.
In the Women’s race, the Elites, U23s, and Juniors were all run in the same heat, but were scored in their respective categories. The battle was on between Daleny Vaughn (Tucson, Ariz.; DK Bicycles) and Felicia Stancil (Lake Villa, Ill.; Factory SSquared). Vaughn has been on fire since she won the Grand Nationals in November, while Stancil has been recovering from a dislocated hip and fractured femur from a race earlier in the year. This was Felicia's first race back from her injury - and it was great to see them racing elbow-to-elbow on the track. Stancil grabbed the holeshot, but Vaughn made the pass as they came out of turn one. The two were side by side the whole third straight, but Vaughn was able to create some distance to bring the stars-and-stripes sleeve home to Tucson, along with Sharrah.
In the U23 races, Jesse Welch (Riverside, Calif.; Box Components) and Mckenzie Gayheart (Fort white, Fla.; Full Tilt/ Radio) walked away with victories in the inaugural event. For the Juniors, 16-year-old Ethan Popovich (Vaparaiso, Ind.; DK Bicycles/ Duo Brand) and Keiley Shea (La Habra, Calif.; 316 Racing/ DK) earned the red, white, and blue sleeve in their respective classes. This group has a bright future ahead of them.