GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – On Thursday through Sunday in Colorado, the Milligan University cycling program took part in the second USA Cycling Collegiate National Championship event of 2025-26, this time for Mountain Bike season. The Buffs posted a trio of top-five finishes in the omnium standings to close out the event.

The championships began with the short track and cross country races. In short track, the Buffaloes' top finisher came on the men's side, as Riley Wrightsman placed 11^th and earned 40 points toward omnium standings. George Frazier was right behind him in 12^th, picking up 38 points. Jack Flippin earned points, as well, placing 22^nd for 19 tallies. Lastly for the men, Cade Pummill came away with one point after placing 40^th.

In women's short track, Emma Clark ended up in 22^nd for 19 points as the MU women's top finisher, while Megan Lester (35^th) and Kate Bittenbender (36^th) also placed in the top 40 to nab points.

Men's cross country saw six racers earn points, with Flippin's 15^th-place showing leading the pack. Frazier (22^nd), Wrightsman (29^th), Levi Cole (35^th), Jura Gerlach (37^th) and Pummill (40^th) rounded out the Buffs list of tally earners.

For the women, it was E. Clark and Lester who finished in 28^th and 38^th, respectively.

The next day, the downhill competition began, with the Milligan men seeing Pummill post an outstanding fourth-place finish. Cole came across in 17^th, with Drake Marks and Liam Clark placing 27^th and 37^th, respectively.

The women's race was run by E. Clark and Megan Eakin, as E. Clark came in an impressive sixth place and Eakin achieved a 17^th-place showing.

In the dual slalom competition, Pummill placed 29^th, with Marks (30^th), L. Clark (36^th), Eli Back (40^th) and Cole (42^nd) behind him.

Another E. Clark standout run put her in 10^th, with both Eakin and Imogen Ragan finishing after her in 34^th and 38^th.

The omnium standings concluded that the Buffaloes had a pair of competitors finish in the top five, with Pummill placing fourth with 75 total points and Cole placing fifth with 34 points.

For the women, it was E. Clark who placed fifth in the omnium with a 110-point total for the event.

Overall, the Buffaloes finished sixth in the team omnium standings.

Click HERE for the full results.

Milligan's squad now head to a short hiatus before they return for the cyclocross season this winter.