Despite inexperience AXO looks to rebuild

While many Little 500 cyclists draw inspiration from wearing their houses’ letters, an additional phrase has run down the sleeves of the Alpha Chi Omega team jersey for several years as a simple reminder of the members’ ultimate goal.

“Our house has used the phrase ‘R2F2’ on our jerseys for some time now,” sophomore Sara Jean Waters said. “It means ‘ride really freakin’ fast.’”

Like the slogan, keeping things simple might be the key to success for an Alpha Chi Omega team that is comprised entirely of riders who have never rode in the Little 500.

The team, which is made up of Waters, Grace Hoglund, Libby Lienhoop, Kelsey Tharnstrom, Ellie Hay and Julia Haynes (who will not compete because of appendicitis), hopes to improve on last year’s 20th-place finish.

Despite the lack of experience, Hoglund, a sophomore who trained with the team last year, said the team’s athleticism will even the playing field with the more seasoned racers.

“We really got lucky with the group of rookies that have come in because their pure athletic skill has allowed them to start at the same level that we have been working to,” Hoglund said. “There will be things like exchanges and some of the rules of the track that we will all have to get used to, but with enough work those things will become second nature.”

Exchanges may provide the biggest challenge to Alpha Chi Omega because of the disparity in height that exists among the team. Lienhoop is the tallest rider at 6 feet, while Hoglund comes in at 5-foot-6.

Hoglund said the team will choose to have a mechanic that will adjust the height of the seat to accommodate the different leg lengths of the cyclists during bike-to-bike exchanges. If a seat is either too high or too low it could affect the performance of the rider.

“I have short legs, so jumping on and off of bikes that are too tall can be really hard for me,” Hoglund said. “If your legs are either really cramped or really stretched out, you’re not going to be able to get the same amount of speed that you usually do so it could be crucial.”

While the actual race is still more than a month away, Waters said the whole experience of Little 500 has been a whirlwind of emotion that started when she decided to compete this year after attending last year’s race.

“When I came to IU last year, I considered doing it, but didn’t follow through with it because I got a little intimidated by it all, but when I went to the race I knew I had to do it,” Waters said. “Even now, it is intimidating going out there on the track, but it can still be anyone’s race, and as long as you go out there and believe that you can ride really fast, you have a chance.”