The second annual Women’s MontanaCrossCamp is currently underway at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Last year marked the first year of the Women’s Junior development camp led by USA Cycling’s Cyclocross Performance Consultant Geoff Proctor. This year, nine women ages 16 to 21 are in Montana to learn from Proctor and the guest coaches and kickstart their 2018 cyclocross training.
The first Women’s MontanaCrossCamp took place in 2017. Nine women are in Montana for this year’s edition. © Tom Robertson
Proctor’s MontanaCrossCamp focuses on preparing U.S. cyclocross athletes to successfully race in Europe and here at home during the domestic season. As we highlighted during our coverage of last year’s camp, Proctor has created a unique training program rooted in downhill skiing and cycling. And since he is preparing athletes to race in Europe, there is running. Plenty of running.
Cross is Coming, and these attendees will be ready. Montana Cross Camp, Women, 2017. © Tom Robertson
The 2018 Women’s MontanaCrossCamp runs from Monday, June 25 through Saturday, June 30. The Men’s camp takes place next week from July 2nd through the 7th. Stay tuned for the roster of young men attending the second session of the camp.
In addition to Proctor and coach Scott Herzig, the young women will also have the opportunity to learn from successful women racers helping at the camp. This year’s guest coaches are recent Dirty Kanza 200 winner Kaitie Keough and Collegiate cyclocross national champion Allison Arensman.
Friendly competition keeps the workouts fun and challenging. Montana Cross Camp, Women, 2017. © Tom Robertson
The younger woman attending this year’s camp headed to Montana with the good news that the UCI will be adding a Women’s Junior 17-18 category to the World Cups starting in the 2020/21 season. This comes on the heels of last year’s addition of the Women’s Junior World Championship category starting in 2020.
Proctor said all the applicants listed the 2019 and 2020 Worlds as major goals, which reflects the culture of aspiration and commitment the camp has helped build among young U.S. cyclocrossers.
See below for the 2018 Women’s MontanaCrossCamp roster.
Women's Roster: 2018 MontanaCrossCamp
| Name | Hometown | Age | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Arensman | Brevard, NC | 21 | JA King p/b BRC |
| Shannon Mallory | Bellingham, WA | 21 | Northwest Women's Cyclocross Project |
| Kennedy Adams | Stow, OH | 20 | Summit Freewheelers |
| Anna Savage | Westborough, MA | 19 | NCC/JAM Fund |
| Ellie Mitchell | Anchorage, AK | 19 | Northwest Women's Cyclocross Project |
| Ava Lilley | Bend, OR | 18 | Bend Endurance Academy |
| Abi Yates | Rowlett, TX | 17 | Matrix RBM Elite Cyclocross Team |
| Lauren Zoerner | Highlands Ranch, CO | 16 | Alpha Bicycles/Groove Subaru |
| Lizzy Gunsalus | Dudley, MA | 16 | Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld |
