September 24, 2004 – Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jeremy
Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo.) made the winning efforts in today’s pro
cross-country contests. The familiar faces on NORBA podiums gave crowd
pleasing performances against strong competition.

The men’s race was highlighted by 2004 Olympians Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski
and Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) as well as Ryan Trebon (Corvallis, Ore.)
and Travis Brown (Boulder, Colo.) – who were the top two Americans in the
2004 NORBA National Cross-Country series standings after the finals in
Durango last month.

Horgan-Kobelski, Trebon, and Craig formed a gap on the rest of the field
almost from the gun. After making the climb up the kamikaze downhill, the
three leaders were about 15 seconds in front of Wells, Anthony Colby
(Durango, Colo.) and Neil Shirley (Calif.). As the racers made their way
into the start/finish area at the end of the first lap, Trebon had been
dropped by the other Horgan-Kobelski and Craig who were increasing their
lead substantially. Carl Decker (Bend, Ore.) had worked his way into third
position, and was riding all by himself in pursuit of the two leaders.
Trebon and Todd Wells were working together in fourth and fifth, 15
seconds behind Decker.

Lap two saw Horgan-Kobelski make his decisive move, as he attacked and
gained a 25 second lead over Craig, while Decker still chased in third.
Todd Wells, Jay Henry (Avon, Colo.), Neil Shirley, and Eric Jones (Salt
Lake City, Utah) made up the chase pack that would fight it out for the
final podium spots in the final lap. An incredible effort put forth by
49-year-old Ned Overend almost allowed him to bridge up to the chase pack.

Horgan-Kobelski held onto his commanding lead all the way to the end,
while Craig took the silver and Decker claimed the bronze. Eric Jones won
the race of the final podium contenders with a career effort putting him
in fourth place, while Neil Shirley posted a surprising podium finish in
fifth.

Much like in the men’s race, the contenders for the women’s event were
determined in the early stages. Willow Koerber (Gunnison, Colo.) had the
early lead, while Sue Haywood (Davis, W.Va.), Alison Dunlap, Heather
Irmiger (Boulder, Colo.), and Dara Marks-Marino (Flagstaff, Ariz.) were
all very close behind.
Irmiger had an amazing ride this afternoon, proving that she has become
stronger and stronger all season. At the end of lap one, Marks-Marino and
Dunlap were working together in the front, while Haywood, Koerber, and
Irmiger were only 10 seconds back. Kelli Emmett (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
and Kerry Barnholt (Boulder, Colo.) fought to keep the pace and bridge up
to the three chasers.

The second and final lap for the women witnessed the leaders stay in the
same positions. Dunlap crossed the line first to earn yet another stars
and stripes jersey, while Marks-Marino finished second with a career ride.
Haywood took the bronze, while Irmiger had a break-out performance in
fourth, and Koerber finished a successful season in fifth.

Men’s Cross-Country Results

1. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski
2. Adam Craig
3. Carl Decker
4. Eric Jones
5. Neil Shirley

Women’s Cross-Country Results

1. Alison Dunlap
2. Dara Marks-Marino
3. Sue Haywood
4. Heather Irmiger
5. Willow Koerber