GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Seven straight national championships. One unstoppable Maverick dynasty.

Colorado Mesa University Cycling has once again cemented its place among the nation's elite collegiate programs, capturing its seventh consecutive USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike Varsity Team Omnium National Championship on Saturday, October 10, at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.

Competing on their home trails against some of the nation's best collegiate cyclists, the Mavericks delivered another championship performance, overcoming rain, muddy conditions and a challenging race schedule to keep their remarkable winning streak alive.

With more than 500 collegiate student-athletes descending on the Grand Valley for the national championships, hosted in partnership with the Grand Junction Sports Commission, CMU demonstrated why its cycling program continues to set the standard in collegiate mountain biking.

The Mavericks accumulated 664 team points, comfortably outpacing rival Fort Lewis College (612) and Brevard College (610) to secure the national championship.

A Complete Team Effort
The Mavericks' seventh consecutive title was built on a combination of individual national championships, podium finishes and depth across all four mountain bike disciplines: cross-country, short track, downhill and dual slalom.

Senior Austin Beard delivered a dominant performance in the men's endurance events, capturing individual national championships in both cross-country and short track. Beard's victories earned him two coveted USA Cycling national championship jerseys and provided critical points toward CMU's team title. Beard also competed against his twin brother who races for the Fort Lewis Skyhawks. 

Sophomore Kai Lokey, a Durango native, battled through a crowded starting field to finish runner-up in the men's cross-country race, giving CMU an impressive first- and second-place finish.
On the gravity side, freshman Mary McLernon of Steamboat Springs put together an exceptional championship weekend. After finishing third in dual slalom, McLernon dominated Saturday's women's downhill competition, claiming the individual national championship with a winning time of 5 minutes, 44.31 seconds.

Teammate Maylei Leaneagh finished second, completing another Mavericks one-two podium sweep. The two CMU riders were the only women to average more than 35 kilometers per hour on Powderhorn's challenging Pinball downhill course.

The Mavericks also received important contributions from Tanner Castagnetto and Max Brown, who finished sixth and seventh in the men's downhill.

CMU's women's endurance squad demonstrated its own consistency throughout the weekend. Elisabeth Knight placed fifth in both cross-country and short track, while teammates Estelle Slingsby and
Kira Mullins added top-10 finishes in both events.

With points awarded to the top 10 finishers in each discipline, the Mavericks' depth proved to be a decisive advantage in securing another team national championship.

Overcoming the Elements
This year's championship presented a different set of challenges for the Mavericks, as persistent rain and muddy trail conditions forced adjustments to equipment, preparation and race schedules.

For CMU head coach Brian Flaherty, now in his 14th season leading the program, the championship was particularly rewarding given the youth of this year's roster.

Despite the difficult conditions and the pressure of defending six consecutive championships, CMU's athletes responded with championship-caliber performances when it mattered most.

The victory was also a testament to the collective effort behind the program, including assistant coaches Patric Rostel and Brady Kappius, support staff, university leadership and sponsors.

Building a National Championship Legacy
With its latest victory, Colorado Mesa University has now captured seven consecutive collegiate mountain bike national championships in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, continuing a remarkable stretch of sustained excellence.

What makes this achievement even more impressive is the program's ability to continually develop new generations of championship athletes.

With only two members of this year's team expected to graduate, the Mavericks appear positioned to remain among the nation's top collegiate cycling programs for years to come.

For CMU, these national championships represent far more than trophies. They reflect a culture of excellence built around teamwork, dedication and a commitment to competing at the highest level.

A Championship Celebration on the Western Slope
Winning a national championship is special. Winning it in front of a home crowd makes it even sweeter. All of this that could not have been done without the support of the Grand Junction Sports Commission who hosted the event at Powderhorn. 

For the second consecutive year, Powderhorn Mountain Resort served as the backdrop for CMU's championship celebration, showcasing the Grand Valley's outdoor recreation opportunities and the region's growing reputation as a premier destination for competitive cycling.

The 2026 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships brought hundreds of student-athletes, coaches and supporters to Western Colorado, highlighting the collaboration between Colorado Mesa University, the Grand Junction Sports Commission, Powderhorn Mountain Resort and the local cycling community.

As the collegiate mountain bike national championships prepare to move to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2027, the Mavericks leave their home trails with another national championship and their sights set on continuing an extraordinary run of success.

The Road to a 10th Overall Collegiate Cycling National Championship
While the Mavericks celebrate their seventh consecutive mountain bike national championship, their ambitions extend far beyond a single discipline.

Collegiate cycling consists of four disciplines: Track, Mountain Bike, Cyclocross and Road. Throughout the collegiate cycling season, programs compete across these disciplines in pursuit of the prestigious USA Cycling Collegiate Overall Team Omnium National Championship, awarded to the nation's top all-around collegiate cycling program.

With Colorado Mesa University already capturing national championships in both Track and Mountain Bike this season, the Mavericks have firmly positioned themselves in the driver's seat for another Overall Team Omnium title.

Historically, CMU Cycling has claimed an impressive nine Overall Team Omnium National Championships, establishing the Mavericks as one of the most accomplished programs in collegiate cycling.

Now, with two discipline championships secured and Cyclocross and Road still ahead, Colorado Mesa has its sights set on a historic milestone: its 10th Overall Team Omnium National Championship.

The pursuit of a 10th overall title highlights the program's remarkable versatility, with student-athletes competing at an elite level across vastly different cycling disciplines.

For coaches  Brian Flaherty and Pat Rostel and the Mavericks, the mission remains clear: continue building upon a championship legacy while proving that Colorado Mesa University is not just a mountain bike powerhouse, but one of the premier all-around collegiate cycling programs in the nation.

Two discipline national championships secured. Two disciplines remaining. One historic 10th Overall Omnium title in sight.