MURRAY, Ky. - Union College successfully defended its Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference championship as several riders posted multiple top-five finishes and many personal bests at the regional meet held at Murray State (Ky.) University over the weekend.

"We all had a great showing, I am really proud of them," Union coach Chuck Coffey said. "I think the team is coming along well in preparation for nationals."

The conference championship was Union's third in a row and fourth overall, having also won the title in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Justin Becker (Loveland, OH) finished eighth in cross country on the difficult 27-mile course. Sophomores Ryan Sickles (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Jonathon Turner (Harlan, Ky.) also finished strong in the Top 20.

The Women's A race was a technical and hilly 18-mile course with a long rock garden and a long switchback decent. Amanda McKay (Petersburg, Ky.) finished first in women’s cross-country with lap times close to an hour. Chrissy Buerkle (Evans City, Pa) also had a great race and finished fourth despite a mechanical problem at the beginning of the race. Karen Caldwell (Bristol, Tenn.) and Amy Russell (Monticello, Ky.) were both required to double their miles by moving up to the Women’s A field, but they finished strong and earned vital points for the team.

Autumn Hicks (Pine Top, Ky.) placed first in the Women’s B field, coming through the finish line looking strong. Hicks also rode strong in the dual slalom placing well.

Becker proved to be a force in the gravity events, placing well in both the downhill and dual slalom competition. Despite limited dual slalom experience, he finished on the wheel of the reining Division I dual slalom national champion. His skill and ability to race with the seasoned veterans had people talking all the way down the course. Freshman Kegan Lewis (London, Ky.) looked great in practice but took an unfortunate spill in the qualifying round, taking him out the competition.

Russell suffered an unfortunate crash similar to Lewis, but regained composure and finished the race strong. Russell’s skill was evident but the bike got away from her in a slick berm, eliminating her from the finals.

Sunday’s short track proved to be a difficult course for all the racers. It started in a grassy field that led to a single-track climb with wet roots and slick sections. The top of the climb was a short twisty single-track section with a jump and log crossing. The course finished with a fast rolling downhill that shot the racers back out into the field. The Men’s A race was thirty minutes plus two-laps at a feverish pace. Lapped riders were pulled and placed to clear off the track. Jonathon Turner responded to the quick pace and stayed in competition for most of the race. His drive and ability to ride through the pain helped him hang in the race with more experienced competition. The racer in first place started gaining on Turner, so he increased the pace keeping himself in the race longer. Becker, Sickles, Dray and Moore also rode strong and scored points for the team.

The Women’s A and Men’s B field started together in short track, with McKay, Buerkle and Erin Disterheft of Western Michigan up front with two of the Men’s B racers. The racers all were trying to get a good position in the first climb of the race. By the second lap Disterheft and McKay caught and passed the men on the second time up the climb. Disterheft and McKay put a gap on the men’s and women’s field placing first and second respectively. Buerkle also finished strong coming in fifth place. Caldwell and Russell also scored points for the Bulldogs.

Union will be back in action at the 2006 NCCA National Championship in Angel Fire, N.M., on October 20-22.