WEST MONROE, La. - The Lindsey Wilson cycling team posted a second-place finish at the USA Cycling BMX National Championships at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center.
 
The Blue Raiders finished second behind national champion Marian (Ind.).
 
 "I am incredibly proud of how my team raced this weekend," Lindsey Wilson cycling head coach Josh Patton said. "Everyone on the team left everything they had all on the track, and that's all I can ask for. Racing these indoor tracks that are tight and slick is challenging at times and it takes a bit of luck to earn a medal."
 
"The competition level was high, with Marian and Belmont Abbey bringing some great racers to the competition, and that made for an exciting weekend of racing for all of us," Patton added. 
 
Bobby Connelly captured the men's national championship. Connelly went into the final day in second place following the first day of competition. Spencer Cole was leading out of the first turn before a crash involving Cole and Marian's Jordan Callum allowed Connelly to get out and hold an extended lead.
 
"When Spencer went for the win in the main event on Sunday, making a very brave move down low in the first turn it was one of a true competitor's spirit going for gold," Patton said. "When a Marian rider made contact with Spencer out of the turn, forcing a crash, Bobby was already set in a perfect position to avoid the crash and power past them to take the win and the title."
 
 "That win for Bobby was well deserved," Patton added.  "Bobby is a hardworking young man who put himself in a place to capture the title, and I could not be more proud of his performance this weekend."
 
Ricky Carter finished fifth. Carter was seventh on day one and finished third on day two to earn fifth overall. Cole finished sixth, and Ian Davis finished seventh overall after a fourth-place finish on day two. Marshall Gehrke finished eighth, Nicklas Haugen finished ninth, and Lautero Merlo rounds out the Blue Raider men in the top 10 in 10th.
 
On the women's side, MeKenna Martin posted a fourth-place finish after finishing in fourth on both day one and two.  Caitlyn Farmer finished in seventh, while Zoe March posted an eighth-place finish. Lilly Campbell finished in 10th.
 
The Blue Raiders also got key contributions from Jaime Quintanilla, Floriencia Haupt, Layla Massey, and Lola Petillo.
 
" I will say again that I am beyond proud of my Blue Raider Cycling Team this weekend, and they showed us all how to race with a fearless approach," added Patton.
 
The Blue Raiders are back in action for the Midwest Classic Crit on April 4 in Indianapolis, Indiana.