Based on Summer’s report and Chloë’s photos, the second round of the 2026 OBRA Junior Cyclocross Series was blessed with a second-straight bout of perfect, early-season cyclocross weather at Heiser Farms, although I’m eagerly awaiting mud! I’m told the course retained its timeless combination of flow and tech, with a run-up that surely felt like a relief after last week’s wall at Cascade Locks. I suspect that the omnipresent bog threw a wrench in a few folks’ lines as well, both junior and adult racers alike!
The Yakima Hot Lap competition saw one repeat winner in Gabby Linn (Mettle Cycling) and a newcomer by way of the menace that is Jack Abel (Team Booger), who has been on a tear since XC mountain bike season and is racking up UCI points on the national junior circuit. Gabby won the 13-14 Junior Women category uncontested, but only pipped Vivi McManuis for the hot lap by a single second. Vivi, however, returned the favor and out-sprinted Gabby for the overall Junior Women’s victory on the day, winning the 11-12 Junior Women’s race in the process! Both riders consolidated their leads in their categories. Vivi was joined in her podium for the day by Bobbi and Willow Buswell, both of Team Booger, in second and third, respectively. The Buswell sisters now occupy those same slots in the overall competition for the 11-12 Women. The Junior Women’s 9-10 race started out close, but the consistency of Eliza Hazboun (Corvallis Junior Cycling) allowed her to pull away for the win over Fast Fun Nice p/b Steeplejack’s Edith Brown, also earning Eliza the series lead ahead of Edith.
Returning to the Junior Open Categories, Nicolas Rinaldi Ceroni (Biciclista) bested Wyatt Russell to win the 9-10 age group, flipping the prior week’s result, and tying them for the lead in the series. Wyatt Sells put in a measured race to place third on the day, putting him on equal points with Jude Smith overall. The 11-12 age group is likewise at a dead heat for the series. Luka Dedrick (Grouptrail Cycling p/b Ruckus Composites) steadily built on his speedy first lap to get the best of Fast Fun Nice p/b Steeplejack’s Cyrus Brown. Meanwhile, Everett Hawes (Corvallis Junior Cycling) replicated his bronze from Race #1 and stands third after another consistent ride in Race #2. Everett’s brother and teammate Garrett did one better in the Junior Open 15-16 competition, but Axel Weaver (Team Booger) put in a measured effort over three laps to take victory. Garrett now leads the series, with Axel tied with Race #1 victor Bjorn Swanson (Dirty Fingers) for second. Benjamin Krawachuk-Miller, Corvallis Junior Cycling teammate of the Hawes brothers, earned a tie for the series lead with a win in the 13-14 Junior Open race. Dylan Glazer will surely be back to battle for that leader’s jersey in future rounds, though, with fellow Team Booger rider Carter Hayden now third overall. Jack Abel wasn’t satisfied with the Hot Lap win and pipped his Booger teammate and fellow UCI competitor Bennett Gassner for the 17-18 Junior Open victory, with Meko McDaniel (Corvallis Junior Cycling) earning third courtesy of a strong ride. These three now hold the same places for the overall standings.
I’d also like to take a moment to shout out a number of junior racers who doubled up on the day! Meko put in a strong effort in the Cat 4 Open field for fourth; Gabby dominated the Cat 4 Women, winning by more than four minutes; Jack and Bennett nabbed second and third in the Cat 1/2 Open; and Axel muscled out fifth in the Cat 3 Open.
I’ll close the recap, as usual, with some odds and ends. As I mentioned last week, I’ll be absent from Willamette Supercross in Eugene. This was my favorite new-to-me course last year! The views are lovely, the elevation gain is deceptive and the off-cambers are just enough to catch you out without being high consequence.
Make sure to stick around after every JCS race for podium photos, leader’s jerseys and hot lap prizes, and don’t hesitate to ask me (or my substitute next week, Taylor Pasquariello) if you’ve got even the slightest suspicion that you or your junior racer has earned any of the above!
Thanks to Heiser Farms promoter Eric Vickers, who Summer tells me was exceptionally enthusiastic about the junior racing, our series and prize sponsors and prize providers sponsors Castelli, Yakima, BikeTiresDirect and Sellwood Cycle Repair, and, of course, the parents who drive our racers, make sure their bikes function and take their handups. We’re still working on a date for our end-of-season party—we’ll keep you posted. I’ll see you all at Heron Lakes!
—Robin
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