Milligan’s cycling team kicked off its regular season with several podium finishes at the University of Florida’s Swamp Classic last weekend.
In the women’s A road race on Saturday, Olympic bronze medalist Megan Jastrab secured the first win of the weekend. She was followed by Makayla MacPherson who took second, and Marje Bemis who took fourth from a second-place field sprint. Morgan Johnston also took first in the B race.
Jastrab said confidence was the team’s greatest strength.
“The confidence we have in each other allowed us to adapt in the races and make sure we were in the best position at the end of the race to win,” she said. “We were always represented at the front of the group, covered moves, and forced the races to favor our strengths in the end.”
In the men’s A road race, Robert Comfort finished in third, and Ama Nsek in sixth. Elijah Johnson took second in the B race, and Adin Papell took first in the C race. Mykael White finished second in the D race.
Coach Nave explained the goals for the weekend were to primarily assess where the teams are.
“The goal of the first weekend is usually team cohesion,” he said. “It’s also important that we get a chance to see where we are, and how much we need to grow as a team”
Both the men and women took first place in their respective team time trial races on Saturday.
Gabriella Dixon finished third in the women’s A individual time trial (ITT) race followed by Madelline Mendoza in fourth. In the women’s B race, Morgan Johnston took first and Laney Butt took second.
For the men’s A ITT race, Erik Castillo took fourth while Jonah Sanchez finished in sixth.
On Sunday the men swept the A criterium race, with Brody McDonald in first, Ama Nsek in second, Parker Kyzer in fourth, and Will Seitz in fifth.
In the men’s A criterium race, Coach Nave explained that both discipline and communication led to their wins.
“We have a lot of guys who are good at communicating,” said Nave. “That plays a significant role in the outcome.”
Elijah Johnson placed first in the B Criterium Race, Adin Papell in first for the C race, and Mykeal White in sixth for the D race.
For the women’s criterium A race, Makayla MacPherson took first followed by Marjie Bemis in fourth. In the B race, Morgan Johnston took first and Laney Butt took second.
“Heading into the races we were shooting for the win and to get as many people on the podium as possible,” said MacPherson. “We were trying to set off attacks, trying to mix it up, and it ended up working really well for the road race.”
Coach Nave said the expectations are high for the rest of the season.
“Based on the weekend, I really do think both teams are looking good for Nationals,” he said.
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Headline Photo features Jastrab, MacPherson, and Bemis after finishing their road races on Saturday.
Photo Credits by Laney Butt, Copy Editor