Stars help 2011 teams to victory

In a year dominated by an individual in both the men’s and women’s races, the stars led their teams to victory. Seniors Caitlin Van Kooten (Teter) and Eric Young (Cutters) both won the Individual Time Trials and proved their prowess on race day.

Van Kooten and her Teter squad avoided an early crash and ended up lapping the field with 50 laps remaining.

They coasted to victory. It was the team’s second-straight victory and third overall.

The Cutters couldn’t avoid a collision, as a crash in the 45th lap put them a full lap behind the leaders. One-hundred-thirty laps later, however, they were back in contention.

In the final laps, Young waited as Phi Delta Theta made three exchanges, and on the third, which took place on lap 199, Young took advantage, kicking into high gear and crossing the line first. It was the Cutters’ fifth straight win and 12th overall.

Before their teams succeeded on race day, Young and Van Kooten found success during the other Spring Series events.

Neither team was the pole-sitter. Sigma Nu qualified first for the men, and Delta Gamma qualified first on the women’s side. Both the Cutters and Teter qualified second and donned yellow jerseys on race day.