Melanzana wins 34th Women’s Little 500

April 25, 2022

Lead by a dominant performance from senior Grace Williams, Melanzana riders captured the 34th Women’s Little 500 championship by more than a lap and a half. Williams, a former Division I distance runner, broke away from the pack about a quarter of the way into the race. The team’s lead proved insurmountable for the field as Melanzana riders won the first title in the team’s 10-year history.

Melanzana Cycling rider Abby Teed celebrates with fans after winning the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Grace Williams races in turn three during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Alpha Chi Omega fans cheer before the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Fans wait on the bleachers in turn two for the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Alpha Theta fans shield their riders from the sun before the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. Pictured from left are riders: Olivia Hubbart, Audrey La Valle, Jess Schlueter and Abby Hummels. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Alpha Chi Omega riders react as they are introduced before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. Pictured from left are: Leah Anderson, Clare Bruen, Jenna Rodgers and Olivia Rogers. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana University President Pamela S. Whitten shakes hands with SKI riders before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Delta Gamma riders hold hands as they are introduced before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Alpha Chi Omega riders huddle up before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Theta Phi Alpha rider Gretchen Reeves talks with a coach on the starting grid before the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Flagger Chap Blackwell holds the green and yellow flags at the start/finish line before the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Alpha Theta rider Abby Hummels waits on the starting grid for the start of the parade laps before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Delta Gamma rider Shannon Kerr waits on the starting grid for the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Alpha Chi Omega rider Olivia Rogers waits on the starting grid for the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Sydney Ruff waits on the starting grid before the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana University Foundation President and CEO J T. Forbes prepares to drive the Indy 500 Pace Car before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Alpha Theta rider Abby Hummels waits on the starting grid for the start of the parade laps before the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Riders roll down the front stretch on the parade lap before the start of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. Pictured from left are: Theta Phi Alpha’s Gretchen Reeves, Alpha Chi Omega’s Olivia Rogers and Kappa Alpha Theta’s Abby Hummels. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Flagger Chap Blackwell waves the green flag to start the 34th Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Syd Ruff leads the pack down the back stretch during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Alpha Theta rider Abby Hummels races into turn one during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Teter rider Corrine Miller leads the pack in turn two during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Kappa Gamma rider Isabella Oganovich looks over her shoulder as she leads the pack into turn two during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Lap counters work under partly cloudy skies during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Grace Williams races down the front stretch during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Alpha Theta coach Ryan Knapp uses the sign board to let his rider know about a move by Melanzana during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Grace Williams races down the back stretch during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Kappa Alpha Theta rider Audrey La Valle races into turn three during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Grace Williams races out of turn four during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Grace Williams races down the back stretch during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Riders including Delta Gamma’s Eleanor Madalon race into turn three during the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling fans react as their team dominates the closing laps of the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling riders react in their pits as they win the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Grace Williams hugs her teammates after winning the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling fans celebrate with rider Abby Green after the team won the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling celebrate in the infield after winning the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. Pictured from left are: Grace Williams, Abby Green, Abby Teed and Juli Torbik. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling rider Abby Teed celebrates with fans after winning the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling celebrates after winning the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. Pictured from left are: coach James Welch, riders Abby Teed, Juli Torbik, Abby Green and Grace Williams. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

Melanzana Cycling riders take a victory lap after winning the Women’s Little 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022. Pictured from left are: Grace Williams, Juli Torbik, Abby Green and Abby Teed. (James Brosher/Indiana University)

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