Colfax gets invite into IE series after hosting cyclocross

Colfax, which hosted 64 cyclocross bicycle racers Sunday afternoon at Schmuck Park, received an invitation to become a stop on next year’s Inland Northwest Series which runs during the fall months. Sunday’s event at Colfax, booked as “The Schmuck,” was scheduled just before the IE fall series starts this week at Cheney.

Racers gave the Colfax 3K course strong reviews, and the organization extended an invitation to be on the official circuit next year, according to Joel Jones, prime mover in launching the Colfax event.

Jones estimated it took about 150 hours over three weeks to set up the course. Approximately 1.2K was marked off in race lanes in the actual park. Riders then pedaled along the N. Palouse River levee north and then ran a loop, including a hike up the hill, on the former Union Pacific railroad bed.

Jones said he was surprised to see some of the top competitors on the circuit, including the national champion and last year’s series champion, show up for the Colfax tuner event.

Cyclocross racers qualify in categories determined by USA Cycling which oversees the event. Racers with the top records are assigned Category One and the classes stage down from there.

Each race is assigned a total time. Race officials take an average of the opening laps and then set the number of laps with the aim of wrapping the race within the assigned time.

Sunday’s final race for the top category competitors was booked for 55 minutes.

Jones. who said he’s considering staging another race in December, hopes more local riders and fans can take part.

Former Colfax resident Mike Longmire won the 50-over masters race, and Alex Kackman, Graham Reynolds, Brenden Jacobs and Skylar Simonson of Colfax placed in the 30-minute juniors race.

JUNIORS (U19) Boys:1. James Engerbretson, 2. Alex Kackman, 3. Graham Reynolds, 4. Tyrus MacDonald, 5. Brenden Jacobs, 6. Skylar Simonson, 7. Jesus Mendoza, 8. Spencer Jones. Girls: NA.

MOUNTAIN BIKES: Men; 1. Aaron Buckley, 2. Eric Kopezynski, 3. Kevin Strawn. Women: 1. Deb Creame.

CATEGORY 4-Men: 1. Mark Monroe, 2. Matt Krahn, 3. Matt Morra , 4. JD Lopez, 5. James Engerbretson, 6. Matt Rose, 7. Bryan MacDonald, 8. Matt Brittain, 9. Brian Engel, 10. Jesus Mendoza, 11. Joseph P. Mye, 12. Kyle Howerton, 13. Glen Copus, DNF Steve Patton, Ryan Bibko. Women: 1. Jayne McLaughlin, 2. Renee Compton, 3. Diana Dosmann, 4. Darlene Kirk, 5. Ann Kendall.

CATEGORY 3: Men: 1. Cameron York, 2. Nathan Ullrick, 3. Travis Monroe, 4. Jaxon Suttlemyer, 5. Jesse Bruya, 6. Kevin Strawn, 7. Larry Adams. DNF Felix Espanna -Shawn Letson. Women: 1. Wendy Stredwick.

CATEGORY 1 & 2: Men: 1. Nathan Bannerman, 2. Kevin Bradford, 3. Doug Krumpelman, 4. JT Fountain, 5. Mike Gaertner, 6. Graham Christensen. DNF Louie Fountain.

MASTERS: MEN 40+: 1 Shawn Letson, 2. Bruce Johnson, 3. Mark Knokey, 4. Sean McLaughlin, 5. Eric Kopezynski, 6. Stephen Willis, 7. John Sio, 8. Steve Patton, 9. Cris Lucas, 10. Kurt Friederich, 11. DeWayne Kirk, 12. Ben Suttlemyre, 13. Glen Copus. DNF Ryan Baldwin.

MEN 50+: 1. Michael Longmire., 2. Justin Bannerman , 3. Matt Morra, 4. Joe Anchondo, 5. Bill Bronson, 6. Jonathan Hawkins, 7. David Mahelona, 8. Tony Brittain, DNF Larry Adams.