RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The Ripon College cycling team traveled to River Falls, Wis., for the Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) Border Battle mountain bike race and returned home with a second-place medal and some hard-earned race experience.

Christa Kussmann took second place in the 19-24 women’s age group in the citizen division. In her first race ever, the junior from Beaver Dam, Wis., toughed out two laps on the nearly 5-mile course with a time just exceeding 1 hour and 30 minutes.

"While she earned a medal, she actually finished in last place," said Head Coach Ric Damm. "But what is important is that she finished." Damm said the course at Whitetail Ridge was a technical and challenging course even for advanced racers. “The fact that Christa endured to the finish is a testament to her spirit and determination," he said.

Senior Bryan Nell of St. Germain, Wis., finished just 45 seconds behind the fourth-place finisher in the men’s 19-24 category for a solid fifth place. Nell was the highest placing Ripon male in the citizen division at 56th overall with a time of 56 minutes and 43 seconds. Fellow senior Jonathan Paretsky finished in ninth place in their age group with a time just eclipsing 1 hour, while sophomore Steven Siewert brought up the rear in 1 hour and 23 minutes.

"Like Christa, none of these young men have raced on a mountain bike course, let alone one as difficult as this," said Damm. "Steven just picked his bike up from the shop on Thursday. His pre-ride on Saturday was his first ever ride on a mountain bike trail. He took a few spills, but he did not quit."

First-year Tiffany Seering of West Bend, Wis., competed in the sport category. Based on her excellent showing in the citizen category at an earlier WORS race this summer, Damm elected to test the young racer in the more advanced class. An upset stomach and the agonizing back pain caused by an unfortunate crash sabotaged her sport debut. Still, like her teammates, Seering persevered. She finished three laps in 1 hour and 35 minutes — good enough for 27th place overall.

"As a precaution, on-site paramedics took Tiffany to the hospital following her race," said Damm. "There was some concern that she may have seriously injured her lower back, but the doctor suspects it is only a sprain. She’s a former rugby player and a tough girl. It is amazing that she was able to finish the race."

Cameron Arndt experienced his own setbacks in the men’s sport Clydesdale division. Arndt broke his chain and had a flat tire, but like his teammates did not call it a day.  The senior from Madison, Wis., repaired both and recorded a time just short of 2 hours to cross the line in last place.

"We had three racers finish last in their divisions," said Damm. "But the fact that they finished at all is inspiring. This was their first big test against some stiff competition. They showed guts and enthusiasm, and they all came away with smiles on their faces."

The Red Hawks also came away with some much needed race experience that should benefit them this weekend when they head to Columbia, Mo., for their first intercollegiate race, said Damm. Ripon will compete against teams from other colleges and universities in the seven-state Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31 in races hosted by the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Photo gallery from Border Battle.