1.Scott Quiring - QThe Godfather of the off road
Michigan
Scene. The man that everyone chased for many years. Although not
racing any longer, he is still representing with his support and bikes
throughout the Scene. The "seed was planted" and hence forth we grew.
2.Jeff Weinert - The Little Pony2001 Master's National Champion.
Five time Michigan State Cyclocross Champion.
The
"Pablo Picasso" of the Michigan Cyclocross Scene. He doesn't have the
raw watts of many others, but boy can he paint a pretty picture when
feeling the mood.
3.Jon Card - The Ace of SpadesTwo time Michigan State Cyclocross Champion.
Four time Ohio State Cyclocross Champion.
Four time state time trial Champion.
Two time state road race Champion.
Multiple National Master's podium awards.
Getting "long in the tooth" at nearly 50, but still one hard ass mo' fo' with the sweetest team kit around. One word...Style.
4.Jer Walker - Too WhiteIf ever a rider lived for the sport of cyclocross, it was Too White himself.
He learned the art from the Pony and the training,
sacrifice and discipline from the Ace. Can you think of a better combination.
Remember
the movie scene in Conan the Barbarian where all of the kids died off
pushing the stone wheel and only Conan lived. When people ask how in
the heck this once pudgy, lower than normal talent won a state
championship, tell them that he'd survived the "stone wheel" of tutelage
under the Pony and Ace. 'Nuff said.
5.Rob Foshag - The Evil Looking DudeYou can't say that being a
disciple
of the Ace and riding the Blue Wave can be a bad thing. But that Evil
Looking Dude melted the snow and ice and came good on a frigid day in
December to make all of the nay sayers wonder. Who says that nice guys
don't finish first?
6.Mike Wissink - WizThe next coming. For a
while
I think that everyone actually believed that the Pony and Ace dynasty
couldn't be broken, then along came Wiz to create his own dynasty. His
slow and steady rise to the top lets you know that no dope check is
needed and his nice demeanor allowed us to cheer against his
predecessors.
Unfortunately, sometimes there's more to winning than jut pedaling and
it seems that the burdon of victories weighed too heavily and ended his
dynasty all too soon.
7.Mark Parmelee - Parma ChickenAll
champions will be on this list, but will the "one hit" season be enough
to keep his name on the eternal "lips" of the Scene? Most insiders
might say he's too good to not have another, but only time will tell if
he can repeat the year of "breathing easy".
8.Sven Baumann - The Silent KillerSometimes watts just plain wins and we haven't seen this
many
numbers since the old UCI Springfield Oaks days rolled into one
package. Vegas odds has another one in the books for 2012, but time
will tell the tale come Sunday.
9.Anne Schwartz - Queen AnneCalled
the "Old Bird", but with high praise. Many young 'uns will come, but
they'll never hold the respect of Queen Anne. Thanks for showing those
future starlings the path of righteousness.
10.Kelly Paterson - Melly KellySometimes
the brightest stars pour vibrant, but for only a brief spell. And boy
could she cast a spell. A true a champion through and through.
11.Marne Smiley - mmMarneHer
low key demeanor would allow the mind to easily forget that she
captured the crown in her own right. Can she add another diamond to the
crown on Sunday.
12.Mike Simonson SIMONSTERIf he chose
to focus on cyclocross (and could keep his rigs in one piece) he may
have garnered a state championship by now. Ask any of the above men on
the list and those that say that he doesn't provide a bit of fear is
just plain lying. Maybe one day he'll choose to race through December
and take one home for the fire place.
13.Tom Burke RKIt
would be a shame if the Road King was to be left off of the Champions
list, but time is running out for the quite one. Maybe a few less
racing days would give him the edge that it takes to garner the final
step up, but can he change his ways this late to the party.
14.Brent Bookwalter the OneHis
career was too young while on the Scene to be called a State Champion,
but obviously he was the rawest talent this Scene had witnessed during
his early youth. Much thanks to Mr. Bookwalter for representing on the
World's stage.
15.MacKenzie Woodring BIGRINGMost likely
the long term air to the throne (if she stays in the Scene and doesn't
get bored), but she must get the crown before assuming the throne.
