Curtis White '18 wins national title in cyclocross
Another member of Union’s first family of cycling is on the podium.
This time, it’s Curtis White ’18, who won the men’s elite national cyclocross title Sunday, Dec. 11, on a snow- and mud-covered course in Hartford, Conn.
White, who has placed second at the event the last three years, overtook defending champ Eric Brunner on the final lap to take the win by a four-second margin.
Curtis’ sister, Emma ’19, also a world-level cyclist, was a bronze medalist in track pursuit at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“It truly means the world,” Curtis told a VeloNews reporter after the race. “This sport is beautiful. I’ve wanted to be a professional cyclocross racer my whole life. I’ve been chasing the stars-and-stripes jersey, but my peers didn’t make it easy on me, and I thank them for that.”
At Union, White was a classics major who juggled studies with training and racing at the international level.
Among the first to greet Curtis after his win were his parents, Tom and Chris, and his fiancé Katlyn Oliver ’17.
Curtis' family is well-known on campus. Besides his sister, Emma, and his father, who is the head crew coach, Curtis has a sister, Sarah, who graduated in 2021. A brother, Harrison, also an accomplished cyclist, is in the Class of 2024.
Cyclocross, is a fall and winter sport that features short laps over mixed terrain and obstacles. It is very popular in Europe, where White often trains and races. White rides for Steve Tilford Foundation Racing.