The “World’s Greatest College Weekend” may still be weeks away — set for April 24–25— but on Saturday, the pool of teams for the men’s Little 500 was made official during qualifications.
With fraternities and sororities rocking the Bill Armstrong Stadium bleachers with chants and cheers, 33 of 39 teams earned a spot in the race next month.
During qualifications, each team has three attempts to complete a clean run. The fastest valid four-lap effort counts as the team’s time. Teams that fault on all three attempts do not qualify.
Before the timed run begins, teams take a “fly lap” to get a feel for the track. Once they cross the start line, the clock runs continuously until the final rider finishes. The teams’ times during qualifications determines their starting position in the Little 500.
Phi Gamma Delta set the tone early for those that followed. As one of the first teams on the track just after 8 a.m., the team posted a strong time of 2:28.094.
While Phi Gamma Delta’s lead held for a couple hours, Sigma Phi Epsilon bested it. Their time of 2:27.216 put them in first place heading into the afternoon.
Soon after, a string of impressive times followed from the best teams in the field.
Back-to-back reigning Little 500 champions Black Key Bulls earned a time of 2:28.221 to finish fifth overall. Although enough for the pole position, it remains a strong showing for the returning champions.
Right after Black Key Bulls came Cutters, the most dominant team in men’s Little 500 history. After coming 12th in last year's qualifiers, the record-setting 15-time champions had a much better showing, opening their pursuit of their 16th title with a time of 2:25.711, overtaking Sigma Phi Epsilon for the first-place spot.
Despite some impressive showings the rest of the day from teams like CSF Cycling and Bears Cycling, no team surpassed Cutters’ time.
Riders will next hit the track for the “Spring Series,” beginning with the men’s time trials March 31. That’s followed by the Miss N Out race April 10, before the series concludes with the team pursuit April 11. Together, these events set the stage the 75th running of the men’s Little 500.
Final qualifications results:
1. Cutters — 02.25.711
2. Sigma Alpha Epsilon — 02.27.216
3. Phi Gamma Delta — 02.28.094
4. Sigma Phi Epsilon — 02.28.195
5. Black Key Bulls — 02.28.221
6. Chi Alpha — 02.29.293
7. Beta Sigma Psi — 02.29.454
8. Bears Cycling — 02.30.652
9. Sigma Nu — 02.31.800
10. Cinzano — 02.32.020
11. CSF Cycling — 02.32.525
12. Forest — 02.32.699
13. 3PH — 02.33.486
14. Alpha Sigma Phi — 02.34.469
15. Americana — 02.34.579
16. Gray Goat — 02.35.683
17. Phi Sigma Kappa — 02.35.698
18. Human Wheels — 02.36.175
19. Pi Kappa Alpha — 02.36.407
20. Delta Tau Delta — 02.36.655
21. Phi Delta Theta — 02.36.923
22. IU Dance Marathon — 02.37.128
23. GodSpeed — 02.39.003
24. Blase Cycling — 02.39.241
25. Chiefs — 02.39.790
26. Alpha Kappa Lambda —02.40.640
27. Alpha Kappa Psi — 02.40.669
28. Tau Epsilon Phi — 02.40.815
29. Novus Cycling — 02.41.095
30. Acacia — 02.41.199
31. Lambda Chi Alpha — 02.41.332
32. Theta Chi — 02.41.824
33. Army Cycling — 02.42.857
