Greek teams take 2012 races

Despite dreary weather that plagued last year’s races, Little 500 lived up to its hype as greek teams swept both competitions for the first time since 2006.

On a cold and rainy Friday night, the women’s race came down to a final-lap battle among five teams: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Wing It Cycling, Teter, Kappa Alpha Theta and Delta Gamma.

After the teams rounded turn two, one behind the other, Kappa Alpha Theta’s Kathleen Chelminiak and Delta Gamma’s Kayce Doogs began to break away from the field.

With Chelminiak ahead, Doogs slowly began to diminish her lead. By turn four, Doogs overtook and outsprinted Chelminiak to the Little 500 title. It was Delta Gamma’s first win since 2008.

In the men’s race under windy conditions and cloudy skies, it was a crash in the final 25 laps that determined the winner.

Five-time defending champion Cutters suffered a fateful crash in lap 176 that took it and competitor Black Key Bulls out of contention.

Delta Tau Delta, a team that had never won a Little 500, took advantage of the situation.

Senior RJ Stuart led a breakaway effort in the final 15 laps to clinch the title for the Delts in what teammate Luke Momper called “the greatest feeling I’ve ever experienced.”

— Jordan Littman