The SCAD cycling team put on an impressive display this past weekend at the
Truett McConnell Mountain Bike Race, showing grit, teamwork, and podium-worthy performances across multiple disciplines.
The weekend opened with
cross-country, where
Gabriel Payne led the men's squad with a determined ride into
4th place, narrowly missing the podium.
Ian Schwing battled through the field for
14th, while
Jelaani Davis pushed into the
40s, grinding out the technical course. On the women's side,
Jette Aelken matched Payne's result with a commanding
4th-place ride. Teammates
Mea Cleathero and
Macy Lester rode strong and steady, finishing
15th and
16th respectively, keeping the Bees tightly packed in the standings.
Action heated up in the
dual slalom, where Schwing showcased his bike-handling skills against the clock, sliding into
13th place on the fast, head-to-head course.
In
short track, Payne seized his moment to stand on the podium, powering to an impressive
3rd place finish. Schwing stayed close in
11th, while Davis continued his all-around efforts with a finish in the
30s. On the women's side, Aelken once again proved unstoppable, charging into
2nd place for her first podium of the weekend. Lester and Cleathero rode neck-and-neck, crossing the line in
13th and
14th, showcasing the team's depth.
The weekend's thrills didn't stop there. Schwing took on the
downhill, navigating the technical descents to place
13th—a solid finish on one of the most demanding courses of the event.
The competition wrapped up with the
team relay, where Payne, Cleathero, Davis, and Aelken combined forces. Each rider gave their all, trading places smoothly and pushing through the relentless pace to finish
6th overall, capping off a weekend that highlighted SCAD's balance of individual talent and team unity.
From Payne's podium ride to Aelken's double near-podium finishes, and the steady contributions from Schwing, Cleathero, Lester, and Davis, the Bees left Truett McConnell with momentum, confidence, and the promise of even bigger results to come.
