Noah Scholnick and Lilliana O'Donnell win junior titles

At the 2026 Pan-American Cyclo-cross Championships in Washington, DC, held on Saturday, USA’s Noah Scholnick and Lilliana O'Donnell claimed the junior men's and junior women's titles, respectively. Lilliana O'Donnell, 16, managed to outsprint Canada's Alexa Haviland to secure the gold medal, while Haviland earned silver for the second year in a row. Canada’s Anna Christensen finished 47 seconds later to take the bronze medal.

In the men's junior contest, Scholnick achieved victory solo for the second consecutive year, leading an American sweep of the podium. The 17-year-old had previously claimed two UCI victories and two second-place finishes in four races this season, culminating in his continental champion's title.

USA's Graden Baume took fourth place in the women's race, finishing ahead of her compatriot Elena Svenstrup, who placed fifth. O'Donnell arrived at this championship after a strong performance in which she swept two junior women's races at Cycle-Smart Northampton Cyclocross and earned four second-place finishes in her races this year.

The championships took place on the historical grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which has served as a community for U.S. veterans since 1851, and includes President Lincoln’s Summer Cottage. In the men's junior race, USA's Rylan Zacharek crossed the finish line 17 seconds after Scholnick to clinch the silver, with compatriot Finnley Sonnemann taking the bronze, a further 12 seconds behind. American riders dominated, claiming the first seven positions in the event.

Results

Junior Men

1. Noah Scholnick (USA) - 0:42:01
2. Rylan Zacharek (USA) - 0:42:18
3. Finnley Sonnemann (USA) - 0:42:30
4. Jacob Hines (USA) - 0:42:46
5. Stephen Savino IV (USA) - 0:42:47
6. Jack Helvie (USA) - 0:43:25
7. Jack Abel (USA) - 0:43:31
8. William Houle (CAN) - 0:43:37
9. Matthew Crabbe (USA) - 0:43:52
10. Sylvan Garrelts (USA) - 0:43:59

Junior Women

1. Lilliana O'Donnell (USA) - 0:40:07
2. Alexa Haviland (CAN) - 0:40:08
3. Anna Christensen (CAN) - 0:40:54
4. Graden Daume (USA) - 0:41:12
5. Elena Svenstrup (USA) - 0:41:12
6. Cora Cusack (USA) - 0:41:26
7. Claire Mackinnon (CAN) - 0:41:28
8. Addison Temple (USA) - 0:41:37
9. Ava Silva (USA) - 0:41:37
10. Charlotte Caners (CAN) - 0:41:41