Erik LeRoux and Aidyn Woodall were more than up to the challenges before them today. Photos by Alan Versaw.
We've seen it before, but the impression left still doesn't wear off easily.
Aidyn Woodall (Parker Panthers) is already a national champion, and Erik LeRoux (Landsharks) could possibly be pointed in that direction. And both were completely in control of their races today at Fountain Creek Regional Park. Given a few hundred meters to take the starch out of the pursuit, the two soloed their way to the 11-12 age group regional crowns.
Woodall's 10:03 for 3000 meters would win by 46 seconds. LeRoux's 9:50 put 31 seconds up on second place. Backside pressure simply was not part of the day's experience.
By the time Woodall and LeRoux toed the starting line, several races had already been contested. As it usually goes with the USATF-Colorado State Junior Olympic races, the day began with the 8-and-under crowd.
Typically, with the 8-and-unders, there is a lot of looking around, and the lead bike often functions as much as a pacer as a route guide. In the combined 8-and-under race, Araceli Molina (Penguins) took top honors among the girls at 8:06 for 2000 meters, just behind Penguins teammate Brennon Maez at 8:05.
Brooke Wilson (photo, right) added to the Parker Panther winnings on the day with a 10:55 effort in the 9-10 girls.
Ezekiel Anderson led throughout the boys 9-10 race and ended up winning by a margin of about six seconds over a trio of Parker Panthers, one of whom appears to by Aidyn Woodall's younger brother Shawn.
A separate article covers the 13-14 and 15-18 races.