Delta Gamma becomes 4th sorority to win Women's Little 500 title

Sometimes, team strategy is more valuable than overall talent. Delta Gamma proved this Friday afternoon, as they out-smarted their opponents in the final five laps to win its first-ever Little 500 title.

“It really is a dream come true,” senior Jessica Lander said. “My whole college career we have trained for this and we are finally able to do it our senior year. There is nothing more we could ask for.”

The team finished the 100 laps with an unofficial time of 1:12:20, beating second place Teter by two seconds. Delta Sigma Pi rounded out the top three with Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Delta in fourth and fifth.

Going into lap 96, Delta Gamma coach Ryan Knapp noticed both Teter and Kappa Alpha Theta preparing for a bike exchange to get their fastest sprinters onto the track. Rather than do the same, Knapp allowed junior Kristina Heath to continue for an extra lap in hopes of building a large lead for the team’s last rider, Lander. By the time Lander jumped on the bike the following lap, Delta Gamma’s lead was so far ahead that there was no chance for Teter, Delta Sigma Pi or Kappa Alpha Theta to catch up in time.

“We got a good burnout from (Kristina) that gave our sprinter a gap on the rest of the field,” Knapp said. “She was able to go hard from the start and hold that gap. It is taking advantage of a situation when it comes up.”

Teter senior Sarah Rieke said Delta Gamma’s lead in the final lap was too much to overcome in that span of time.

“We knew that we could sit in for a sprint and have one of those good finishes again,” Rieke said. “But Delta Gamma got away and had too big of a lead. We couldn’t cut it much more than in half.”

Kappa Alpha Theta junior Brittany White said the race was very unpredictable in terms of who might come out of the final pack.

“You blink and it’s gone,” White said. “One time you think you’re ahead, and then next thing you know you’re chasing with one lap to go.”

With its victory, Delta Gamma becomes just the fourth sorority – along with Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Delta – to win the Little 500.

Heath said with her team not favored to win going into the race, it gave extra motivation to prove something on the track.

“I think we definitely were the underdog going in, but we made it work,” Heath said. “This has been a three-year investment, and for our seniors, I think it is great. Everyone in our house is so excited.”

For seniors Lander and Julianne Ellis, winning the race was the best way to end their collegiate careers.

“This is definitely something that is really special for Jess and I, being seniors,” Ellis said. “We have put in so much time, work and energy the past three years, and to come out on top is perfect. We could not have had it scripted any other way.”