INDIANAPOLIS - The 11-time and three-time defending national collegiate track cycling champion Marian University cycling team has had a busy summer as numerous cyclists have been competing.


Senior Matt Jones (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central), senior Sierra Siebenlist (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) and head coach Dean Peterson are just three of the competitors who have had a busy summer.

Jones won five titles last Friday afternoon and evening at the American Velodrome Challenge at Major Taylor Velodrome. He won the men's kilometer by 19 one-hundredths of one second. He also picked up wins in the 200-meter qualifier and the sprints tournament. His other victories were with his USA Piste Elite teammates in the team sprint and the team pursuit. He also earned a third-place finish in the individual pursuit and a fifth-place finish in the points race.

Siebenlist also picked up a title in the 500-meter time trial with a time of 41.80 seconds. She earned three runner-up finishes as well. She placed second in the individual pursuit, 200-meter qualifier and the sprints tournament. Her runner-up finishes in the 200-meter qualifier and individual pursuit were good enough to give her the state title in the events.

Additionally, head coach Dean Peterson also competed in the individual pursuit at the Master's level. He earned a runner-up finish in the individual pursuit, and that was good enough for a state championship in the event. He was also a member of the team pursuit champion alongside Matt Jones.

Junior Alex Wieseler (Oconomowoc, Wis./Arrowhead) also has been competing throughout the summer in his home state. You can read about Wieseler's exploits this summer in the Kenosha News.

Sophomore Adam Leibovitz (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) and incoming freshman Jackie Kurth (Palm City, Fla./Martin County) recently competed at the USA Cycling Junior, U23, and Elite Road National Championships. Kurth, who competes for Team Kenda Cycling, earned the national championship in the Junior Women 17-18 Criterium.

Leibovitz, who was competing unattached, picked up a third-place finish in the Junior Men 17-18 Time Trial. The separation between the victor and Leibovitz was just 11.1 seconds. He also picked up a 64th-place finish in the Junior Men 17-18 Road Race.

Incoming freshman Tyler Karnes (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) also picked up a 36th-place finish in the Junior Men 17-18 Road Race. He also finished 46th in the criterium and 14th in the individual time trial.

The Knights look to defend their title for the fourth straight year when they head to Trexlertown, Pa., on September 24-26 for the USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships.