by Suzanne Jackson
The Roanoke College cycling team began competing in the Athletic Collegiate Cycling Conference (ACCC) starting this spring. Prior to competing with in the ACCC, the cycling team competed as a club sport after registering with USA Cycling. While the team hopes to take some spots on the podium during their upcoming spring races many cyclists are looking forward to being a part of the start of the program’s history here at Roanoke. “For me and some of my teammates, this is the first time we have ever raced, so we are just looking to learn as much as we can, improve, and keep our bikes upright on the road!”, said sophomore cyclist Ben Cerkovnik.
Roanoke College alumni Shelley Olds ’03 was the women’s soccer captain during her time here at Roanoke, but found her passion for cycling shortly after graduation. She was a member of the United States Olympic Team and competed in the 2012 London Olympics. Olds currently serves as the coach for the Roanoke College cycling team and continues to serve as director of the Virginia Blue Ridge cycling team. “I was incredibly excited to have someone as accomplished as Shelley to lead the team. Especially since before coming to Roanoke, the only thing I could find related to cycling at the school was an article about Shelley”, said Cerkovnik.
Sophomore cyclist Hays Edmunds had multiple top three finishes at the club level this past fall and is excited to have great leadership as the team enters into the varsity level. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have a team managed by someone who knows so much about the sport, and who is working so hard to build up the program here at Roanoke,” said Edmunds.
Recently the team got a new cycling room inside Alumni Gym. “I want to give a huge shoutout to our team mechanic Ron Glowcynzki”, said Edmunds. “He helped build our training room, helps take us to races, and keeps our bikes fast and performance ready. I want Roanoke College to know how grateful we are for his support”.
The cycling team will compete on March 4 and 5 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Be sure to follow the team on Instagram at @roanokecollegecycling!
