race report: National Championships, Sol Vista, CO

Hello Tokyo Joe’s team supporters!
Our team had an INCREDIBLE weekend of racing.

Day One: started with Lindsay Dye taking her first podium in the Category 2, girls 15-16 age group. This is her first season of racing, she’s going to be a name to look for in the future.

Tokyo Joe’s had three girls in the Category 1, 17-18 race. Wesley Geer was our top finisher, taking the fourth step on the podium. Ellen Patton and Ellie Atkins both finished in the top ten. All three girls will race this group again next year too.

Day Two: U23 men and women. We had five racers and four finished on the podium! Lydia Tanner in her second year racing U23 finished second. In her first year racing U23, Jill Behlen earned a podium spot, taking fourth. Lydia is sending in her petition to be on the World Championship team and will know in a week or so. The men also turned in great races with Mitch Hoke finishing fourth, Matt Beaton was fifth and Brae Patton finished in the top 15.

Day Three: age-group classes and professional cross-country.
Rus Kappius started the day on a great note taking the National Championship in the 50-55 age group. Congratulations Rus!

The pro women’s race saw 32 of the nations top races take the line. Tokyo Joe’s had three contenders: Erin Huck, Chloe Forsman and Heather Szabo. Erin had her best National Championship finish, taking 9th. Heather managed to finish 24th. And unfortunately Chloe had to drop out due to back pain.

The pro men’s field had nearly 90 racers and Tokyo Joe’s had two: Jay Henry and Pete Stetina. After the first lap both were in the top 20. By the midway point, both were in the top 12. Coming into the last half lap of the race, Jay had secured 10, but even more exciting was Pete in the final podium position! This is Pete’s first year racing in the senior race, being only 23 years old.

We had 15 racers compete this weekend; 12 finished in the top ten, with eight finishing in podium positions. What a weekend!

Congratulations to our newest National Champion Rus and Pete, Jay, Erin and all the Tokyo Joe’s team members who competed at the National Championships.

Thanks to all of you for the fantastic support of our team. We are really proud of what everyone has accomplished and couldn’t do it without you.

Heather & Pete