We're back!

After a long summer with scorching temperatures in the lowlands of North Carolina and the rest of the southeast United States, the ASU Cycling Team is back in the heart of the high country for the 2007-2008 school year. The fall semester is now underway and the Boone community is thriving with students who have returned from their summer vacations.

The team will return over 50 riders back to this year's squad, and the team is confident in repeating as Atlantic Coast Conference Champs. It will surely be a tough hill to climb as the Mountaineers lost Ross Bowden, a strong rider who raced in all three seasons (Cyclocross, Mountain, Road), to graduation in May as well as a few other riders. Travis Hurt, another dominant force to be reckoned with, also graduated and has moved away from Boone to begin his career in construction. Luckily the team will be returning a few riders who have graduated but are returning for graduate school. Jordan Nance will make his return to the road this coming spring after being accepted into the graduate History program, and Noah Niwinski has intentions on beginning graduate school after he finishes his undergraduate program in December. These two riders, as well as many others, will look to lead the team into continued success well into the future.

Speaking of this year's squad, you can't help but look at the amount of talent returning to the trails and roads. David Forkner is turning heads all of over the place as he continues to thrash his away around on both the mountain bike and cyclocross trails. Forkner took home a few top prizes in several races over the summer months. Jerid Gooding is also planning for a big spring showing after superb performances this summer in several road races. Watch for these guys as well as the many other riders as they continue racing through the fall and winter seasons.

Quick note on the first mountain bike race: Appalachian will host the first race of the ACCC season on the weekend of September 1st, in Wilkesboro, NC. For information on the race, please visit www.appstatecycling.com

Also, if your business is interested in team sponsorship for the 2007-2008 seasons, please contact the ASU Cycling Team at appstatecycling@yahoo.com or e-mail Jason Waddell at jw70160@appstate.edu. Sponsorship includes spots on the team jersey or team bibs, team website, race banner, shirts and other team wear, etc. This is a great opportunity for your business that you certainly don't want to miss, so join the ASU Cycling Team and win!

-App State Cycling