Spectating at Collegiate MTB Nats

Last weekend I drove down to Angel Fire, NM, for Collegiate Nationals. There I stayed with my old team from Michigan Tech and the guys from Mizzou. I spectated and ran support, since two of the guys were going for Omnium. That is, they did all four events, XC, DH, ST, and MX, to be ranked in overall standings, and that took a lot of effort and time on their parts. Angel Fire was a World Cup venue last year, and after watching the collegiate racers there, I can see why. The XC (cross country) course was the only one I had a chance to ride, and it was amazing. It began at 9000' of elevation, and proceeded up another 2000' from there. Even having lived in Colorado Springs for over a month now, I was feeling the effects of just one lap up to 11,000, let alone the two that both the men and women had to do.
In the end, Michigan Tech got sixth place in the team standings, and impressive placing since the schools ahead of them all offer scholarship programs, or are coming from altitude. And I got to see my best buddies.