2023 Ouachita Challenge Gravel Grinder sets a blistering pace

DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY_dewayne@mcnews.online

MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The weather couldn’t have been better today for cyclists who participated in the 2023 Ouachita Challenge Gravel Grinder. John Purvis was the first to cross the finish line Saturday with a time of 2:43:11. Rob Bell Finished 2^nd overall and first in the Gravel Geared Division.

Recent heavy rains in the area have led to rising water levels in the area. Organizers were forced to reroute the course at the last minute in an effort to keep the riders risk at a minimum. Unfortunately, Someone moved some direction markers along the course the morning of the race which caused some competitors to veer off course.

Undaunted, the cyclists took to the course at a blistering pace. John Purvis, who had registered in the OC Double Division, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 2:43:11. Rob Bell, the first place finisher in the Gravel Geared Division, was a second behind Purvis at 2:43:12, followed by Bradley Cobb with a time of 2:43:14.

Sam Pickman was 4^th overall with a time of 2:44:16, followed by Sullivan at 2:45:51, AJ Meyer at 2:50:09, Kyle Lockhouse at 2:50:13, Mason McNeill at 2:50:16, Leah Thorvilson, the first female competitor to cross the line, at 2:53:09, and David Neidinger rounded out the Top 10 with a time of 2:56:00.

Below is a partial list of competitors, their times, arranged by Division. All results are preliminary until certified.

Men’s Gravel Geared Race

1^st – Rob Bell (2:43:12)

2^nd – Sam Pickman (2:44:16)

3^rd – Russell Griffin (3:01:33

4^th – Mark Ferguson (3:09:42)

5^th – Adam Moore (3:12:21)

6^th – Cole Tininenko (3:14:24)

7^th – Benjamen Rieck (3:24:44)

8^th – John Jones (3:24:59)

9^th – Justin Cary (3:29:27)

10^th – Mike Adams (3:29:49)

Men’s Gravel Single Speed

1^st Randy Windle (3:56:26)

Men’s OC Double

1^st – John Purvis (2:43:11)

2^nd – Bradley Cobb (2:43:14)

3^rd – Sullivan (2:45:51)

4^th – AJ Meyer (2:50:09)

5^th – Kyle Lockhause (2:50:13)

6^th – Mason McNeill (2:50:16)

7^th – David Neidinger (2:56:00)

8^th – Dylan Schaeffer (3:01:31)

9^th – Kelly Woolverton (3:06:39)

10^th – Tracy Martin (3:06:52)

Men’s OC Double Single Speed

1^st – Denton Reel (3:27:00)

2^nd – Williams (3:52:15)

3^rd – Larry Wagner (3:55:38)

Women’s Gravel Geared

1^st – Leah Thorvilson (3:36:32)

2^nd – Jessica Soroka (3:46:00)

3^rd – Stacey McMickens (3:53:23)

4^th – Barbara Pinkerton (4:08:38)

5^th – Crystal Denham (4:14:05)

6^th – Sally Logan (4:20:18)

7^th – Mary Williams (4:26:11)

Women’s OC Double

1^st – Amy Phillips (2:53:09)

2^nd – Ali Whittier (3:51:19)

3^rd – Lori Martin (3:51:24)

4^th – Monica Desjardins (3:53:19)

5^th – Sara Seels (3:58:03)

6^th – Ariana Khu (4:09:25)

7^th – Kristina Cordova (4:09:26)

8^th – Assenmacher (4:37:42)

2023Ouachita Challenge Gravel Grinder

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