A pair of gravity veterans took home the U.S. 4-Cross National Championship in Angel Fire, NM. Rich Houseman (Temecula, CA) claimed the stars-and-stripes jersey for the pro men, while Melissa Buhl (Chandler, AZ) won the title for pro women.
 
Houseman tore through the newly revamped Angel Fire 4X course, besting 30 of the country’s top professional riders. Blake Carney (Camarillo, CA), Chris Boice (Albuquerque, NM) and Joseph Backus (Mesa, AZ) all had impressive performances. They blazed through the early rounds and finished second, third and fourth overall after the final. With his victory, Houseman earned the right for nomination to the U.S. World Championship 4X squad that will head to Val di Sol, Italy in mid-July.
 
In similar fashion Buhl earned the national championship over a strong field that included runner-up Neven Steinmetz (Boulder, CO) and third place finisher Jessica Vogt (Boulder, CO). With the victory on the former World Cup course at Angel Fire, Buhl also earned the right for nomination to the U.S. World's 4X team.
 
2008 U.S. 4-CROSS RESULTS
1. Richard Houseman...Yeti
2. Blake Carney...Fly-Marzocchi-Maxxis-odi
3. Chris Boice...Fox Shox-Yeti
4. Joseph Backus...Staats
5. Rudy Unrau 
6. Eric Carter...Mongoose
7. Jamas Stiber...Stiber Racing
8. Thomas Tokarczyk...Jamis
9. Ryan Condrashoff...X-Fusion/Santa Cruz
10. Michael Haderer...Fox Shox-Yeti
WOMEN
1. Melissa Buhl...KHS
2. Neven Steinmetz...Totally Wired
3. Jessica Vogt...Turner
4. Sondra Williamson...Specialized-Gammit
5. Jackie Baker...WTB-Giant-Fox Shox