IN HOT PURSUIT

For Phi Gamma Delta rain, cold and wind aren't enough to hinder a great performance. \nAs rain struck during the 30th heat during Thursday's final Little 500 event, it was hard to see if there would be an end to the Spring Series Events. \nLuckily for the IU Student Foundation and the remaining riders, the rain let up and a winner -- Fiji -- was determined. \nThe two teams coming into the final heat were Fiji and the Cutters, who recorded amazing times during their initial heats earlier in the day. Fiji recorded an initial time of 8 minutes, 58.71 seconds and the Cutters 9:11.44. \n"We were definitely happy with the way we did," Fiji senior Joe Keck said of the team's initial time. "It showed how strong and deep the team is; especially since we crossed the finish with all four guys, we didn't have to drop a rider."\nDropping a rider is part of the game during Team Pursuit, the third and final of the Spring Series Events, which tests team unity nearly a week before the race. The event consists of two teams beginning at opposite ends of the infield while their bikes lay on the track. At the sound of a gun the teams race to their bikes and begin to ride 15 laps; switching leaders as they ride. The fastest two times during the day face off in a final heat to determine the champion. \nCutters and Fiji went into the final heat together -- Fiji with an experienced team from last year's race and Cutters returning only one rider from their 2004 Little 500 championship team. Although the team may have been inexperienced in the event, veteran rider junior David Caughlin said the team showed from its performance that the Cutters can compete well. \n"I thought every single one of those guys gave 100 percent of their effort and pushed through so much pain tonight," Caughlin said. "We've got a young team, but we proved we are strong."\nAs for Fiji -- who won the event with a time of 9:05.11 -- the team full of veterans said they are more than satisfied with their time and performance. \n"It's always nice to get the four of us out there and riding strong," said senior Fiji rider Matt Davis. "It gives us the confidence we need to ride well coming into next week."\n-- Contact Senior Writer Katie Schoenbaechler at kmschoen@indiana.edu.