11/4/2010

USA Cycling released updated national rankings this week and Cumberland University is currently ranked No. 1 nationally in Division II after the first two national championships for this academic year. This marks the first No. 1 national ranking in the history of the CU cycling program.

The Bulldogs will carry that distinction until the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships set for December 8-10 in Bend, Ore.

“To be ranked No. 1 is an exciting honor for all of us at Cumberland and proves that a commitment to become your best will pay off,” head coach Tim Hall said. “Our success has required a total team effort not only from the student-athletes but also from the tremendous support provided by the university administration.

“Everyone will be extra motivated to train and race as our focus turns to cyclocross and road season. We aim to hold on to No. 1 for as long as possible, but it will be a difficult challenge for sure.”

Visit the USA Cycling website for more information and statistics.

Cumberland placed fourth in the USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships in September in Indianapolis, Ind., and finished 14th at last month’s USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Truckee, Calif.

The Bulldogs lead the Division II standings with 24 points, just one point ahead of Mars Hill College. Schools with a full-time enrollment below 15,000 are considered DII and those above that line are Division I.