Cycling recruiting class largest in school history, includes returning World and National Champions

COLUMBIA, Ky. - The 2009-10 school year will be one of expansion for the Lindsey Wilson College cycling program.

Danny Estevez crosses the line with the pack in tow in the men's crit at the University of Notre Dame race.

With more than a month left until the start of the collegiate cycling season, the Blue Raiders' program has already nearly doubled in size, according to cycling coach Dave Grigsby. The program has signed 22 recruits, bringing the total number of cyclists on the team to 42.

"The successes our program enjoyed last season has attracted a wave of promising recruits, who were eager to join our venerable program," Grigsby said.

Last year's LWC cycling successes included finishes on the podium at the national championships in mountain biking and cyclocross, plus an individual national champion in dual slalom.

The recruits Grigsby attracted for the 2009-10 season include several national champions and one world champion.

That gives LWC two world-champion cyclists: returner Weston Pope is a three-time BMX world champion; he will be joined by Kelsey Marcum, a 2009 world duathlon champion.

LWC has attracted six professional BMX and slalom riders: Brandon Hopkins, Steven Weimar, Doug Hayes, Madison Pitts, Allie Dragoo and Javery Hattat.

"The number of national championships won by this list of riders is actually too long to chronicle here," Grigsby said. "Now that's a nice problem to have."

In addition to a strong contingent of newcomers representing off-road cycling disciplines, an impressive lineup of professional road cyclists will ride for LWC in 2009-10: Christopher Bogedin, Brooke Crum and Alder Martz.

"These riders will surely make a splash on the road bike as they join one of the best Lindsey Wilson road squads ever assembled," Grigsby said.

LWC's 2009-10 Recruits