Cumberland fifth in nat'l time trials

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Cumberland garnered a fifth-place finish Friday at the Collegiate Road National Championship team time trials.
This 20K race is the premier team event in the natinoals.
CU is one of 19 teams from across the country to compete in the Division II field. Each team may have up to four rides in the event and must finish with at least three as it's the time for the first three which are taken.
Cumberland's quartet of Peter Fairbanks, Whitney Stanbrough, Shawn Mullican and Ben Bevans posted a finishing time of 24:43, fast enough for fifth, but off the pace set by Western Michigan at 23:46. Princeton was second at 24:00, Denver third at 24:21 and Colorado College at 24:32.
Furman finished seventh with 24:57, Notre Dame 13th in 25:19 and Yale 16th in 25:54. Defending champion Whitman College fell to ninth at 25:00.
"Fifth place is nothing to hang our heads over," said Cumberland coach Tim Hall, who earlier said the Bulldogs' main goal this season was to win this event. "I am very proud of our effort and determination. Everyone was a little nervous with some butterflies, but their adrenaline took over, and we posted a highly respectable result. As I explained to the guys afterwards, 'Yes, be disappointed. But more importantly, be proud of what you accomplished'."
Cumberland will compete today in the 84-mile road race around Lake Perry. Due to recent flooding and abnormally high water levels at the lake, the course had to be re-routed. The riders will have to cover a 1.5-mile section of gravel road before getting back onto the original race loop. It could prove to be a pivotal point since gravel would probably slow down riders in the back of the field, Hall explaned.
It could also result in multiple flat tires. Spare tires will be available to riders. But any flat will cost time and energy to chase back onto the main field.
The nationals will wrap up Sunday with a criterium in downtown Lawrence.
On the web: www.usacycling.org.