RIPON, Wis. - The seven-time Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference (MWCCC) Division Two Mountain Bike champion Ripon College Red Hawks cycling team is just days away from beginning another season. The team, which also boasts three MWCCC Cyclocross Championships in the 12-year history of the program, will once reach for the mountain-tops in 2019, culminating at Nationals in Big Bear Lake, Calif.

"We had a great 2018 season and are looking to build momentum on top of that," Ripon Head Coach Alec Hoover said. "Last year, we were on the podium almost every weekend and won multiple races, so I'd love to see us continue to develop."

Ripon returns two cyclists from last year in sophomores Elliott Holt and Noah Reckers. A native of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Holt is currently ranked second overall for COMP at the Wisconsin Off-Road Series (WORS), while Reckers also looks to build on a successful freshman campaign.

"Elliott has been consistently improving his mountain bike abilities these past few years," Hoover said. "We're looking forward to seeing Elliott thrive in his second collegiate mountain bike season. His consistency and steady development will be sure to land him some podium spots and possible qualification for Nationals."

Reckers, who hails from Columbus, Ind., is trying to improve on last season, which found himself on the podium on multiple occasions.

"Noah will be returning to the team after a triumphant freshman year," Hoover said. "He's a triple threat, landing numerous podium spots and race wins in Mountain Bike, Cyclocross, and road racing. We look forward to seeing Noah continue to develop and win races this season."

New to the team this season are freshmen Brandon Lyle and Nick Niemi. Brandon is a native of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, while Nick is from Elkhart Lake, Wis.

"Brandon will be joining us with a few years of road cycling experience, and we're looking forward to seeing him develop as a Mountain Bike and Road Cyclist," Hoover said. "Nick specializes in Cross Country Mountain Bike racing and will bring eight years of experience to the program. He has regularly competed in the WORS and Wisconsin National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) series, so we're looking forward to seeing him thrive in collegiate racing."

The Red Hawks will open their season on August 18 at the WORS Reforestation Ramble in Suamico, Wis.