THANK YOU!

On behalf of the Ripon College Red Hawks cycling team, I would like to thank everyone who made this year’s Wisconsin State Criterium Championship Bicycle Races a success.  This year’s events drew approximately 250 racers from across the state and as far as Missouri and California.

The big winners of the weekend were Iggy Silva of Lance Armstrong’s Trek-Livestrong U23 developmental squad and Holly Mathews of Madison, Wis. Silva and Mathews won the top men’s and women’s races, respectively. Mathews earned a state championship jersey and $200 cash. Silva took home a $250 prize as the top finisher in the men’s elite race, but since he calls San Diego, Calif., home, the state championship jersey will be worn by Oneida, Wis.-native Cole House. House, an international racer on the BMC Racing Team, finished second to Silva in a close sprint to the line to earn the title and a $200 cash prize.

A special “thanks” goes to the Ripon Restaurant Group for supplying the $2,500 prize purse for the weekend’s races.  The primary support of the Ripon Restaurant Group, along with secondary financial support from Accurate Controls Inc., Brewer Heating & Cooling, Pollesch Construction Inc., the Diedrich Agency and Fond du Lac and Oshkosh Cyclery & Fitness made the weekend events possible. Also, a special “thanks” to the Rippin’ Good Cookie Outlet for supplying Rippin’ Good Cookies to each of our race winners throughout the weekend.

Thank you, also, to the Ripon Medical Center for supplying race-day medical coverage both Saturday and Sunday.

The Kids’ Bike Safety Expo and Fun Parade was a big success thanks to the support of ThedaCare Physicians, Horicon Bank, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh Cyclery & Fitness, and the Ripon College Office of Community Engagement. We thank all three for contributing to this great program to educate the youth of our community and encourage safe cycling habits.

Granite Broadband provided free Wi-Fi access throughout the downtown area throughout the weekend to allow our guests to keep connected. We thank them for their support.

A “thank you,” as well, to Copper Box and Ripon Main Street for the concert on the Village Green Saturday night. The weather may have deterred many from coming out, but the band put on a terrific show for those who braved the wet conditions.

A huge “thank you” goes out to the City of Ripon administration, staff and police departments as well as the businesses and residents who allowed us to use their streets to hold these races. Please know that the cyclists who visited our city are thankful for your hospitality.

We’d also like to acknowledge the 20 individuals who participated in our first ever Ripon Relay for Life Bicycle Relay to support the American Cancer Society. In a hotly contested battle, the Pollesch Construction team of Cory Pollesch, Rick Bunge, Jacob Kain and Matt Manske crossed the finish line in front of the Accurate Controls team of Mitch Beuthin, Aaron Erickson, Dave Neper and Duwayne Verch. Other participants included Fr. Tom McAlpine, Bobby Smith, Larry Trotter, John Mejchar, Andrew Prellwitz, Tonya Alling, Kristi Sadlon, Amanda Ferger, Pam Schumacher, Jolene Rueden, Robin Roecker and Brandon Mumm.

We’d also like to thank Amanda Ferger for her excellent rendition of the National Anthem before the start of the men’s elite race Saturday evening.

Finally, a “thank you” to the officials and the many volunteers who kept the races on schedule and safe for all participants.

As with any extended list of “thank you’s” such as this, we are bound to have missed someone. Please know that each individual who played a role in making the weekend successful is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Ric Damm

Head Coach of Cycling

Ripon College