Editor’s note: Will Kwiatkowski published the original article. https://www.idsnews.com/article/2025/10/indiana-university-little-500-bloomington-classic
Standing just six months from the beloved Little 500 weekend — April 24 and 25, 2026 — Bloomington’s riders aren’t waiting for spring to get started.
Under the lights of Bill Armstrong Stadium, teams hit the track Tuesday night for the annual Bloomington Classic, using the fall race as an early test of strength, chemistry and strategy on the road to April.
For the rookies, getting on track for the first time was a crucial experience.
In the women’s rookie race, Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Anna Ansari and Briana Stanton took first placef. The two teammates, racing together for the first time in a competitive setting, approached Tuesday’s Classic as both a test and milestone.
“We spent a lot of time this summer training, so it felt good to finally get on the track and see our hard work come to fruition,” Ansari said postrace.
KKG pulled ahead early and held a strong lead through the final stretch, finishing with a sprint. Stanton said the pair reached their summer goal of logging 1,000 miles.
“Once we got going, everything started to click,” Stanton said. “It felt like all the miles and strategy work finally paid off.”
Both riders said winning the rookie race was a spark of motivation and a promising sign of what’s to come in Spring Series and on race day in April.
“I like where we’re at,” Ansari said. “We feel strong, and we’re just anxious to get back on the track.”
Holding the trophy after the race with a smile, Stanton said the victory is a confidence boost, while Ansari said she feels proud of where the team stands early in the year.
In the women’s veterans race, spectators were on edge from the start to the photo finish, which saw sophomore Libby Lewis of Alpha Chi Omega sophomore Libby Lewis narrowly defeat Kappa Alpha Theta junior Claire Tips by mere inches.
“It was really fun,” Lewis said. “I think we all learned a lot, and that’s what this race is really about. It’s fall series; obviously, we want to do well and try our best, but this is a learning experience.”
Her teammate Mary Claire Swanson said the race helped the group strengthen communication and teamwork.
The race provided Alpha Chi Omega with an opportunity to strengthen communication and teamwork, rider Mary Claire Thompson said.
Alpha Chi Omega’s lineup — returning riders Libby Lewis and Ellie Marsella alongside newcomers Sophie Swanson and Emma Nelson — blends experience with new energy, and the dynamic between them has already begun to show promise.
“It was our first real Little 500–style race for both me and MC (Mary Claire),” Nelson said. “It was awesome to test it out and to have two teammates who know what they’re doing. They helped me feel confident on the track.”
As a veteran who brings confidence and experience, Marsella said last year’s second-place finish made Tuesday’s result even sweeter.
“Two years ago, my first Little 5, we got ninth,” Marsella said. “Last year, we got second. We also finished second in the Bloomington Classic last fall, so to come out and win it this year feels huge.”
Alpha Chi Omega has yet to secure first place finish on race day, but the team believes this could be the year they make history.
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On the men’s side, Sigma Alpha Epsilon displayed a strong rebound after last spring’s disappointment, sweeping both the rookie and veteran races.
In the rookie race, freshmen Aidan Lemme and Charlie Naas — brothers of veteran riders Lucas Lemme and Matthew Naas — set the tone early, taking first place by a wide margin.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to follow in their footsteps,” Aidan Lemme said. “We’ve watched them put everything into this race for years, so to finally get out there ourselves and represent SAE the same way means a lot.”
Later in the night, the veterans kept the momentum going. Matthew Naas, Lucas Lemme, Rhett Skvarna and Thomas Biltimier pushed the pace in a tight veteran final, fending off tough competition to secure a team sweep.
The win carried extra weight for SAE. After last year’s emotional loss left the team disappointed, the performance was a reminder that SAE isn’t just here to compete; it’s here to win.
After the race, Skvarna said the victory felt like a sign of where the team is heading.
“I think as a team, we’re pretty excited to win it, obviously,” Skvarna said. “But, we also know this is still preseason. There’s a lot of training ahead. The win feels good, but we’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of time to put back in on the bike.”
He added that the fall series is an important reminder of the months of work that still lie ahead before April.
Skvarna said the team is eager to spend more time on their bikes, strengthen friendships within the Little 500 community, and build excitement leading up to the April race.
The sweep capped off a strong night for SAE. Both rookies and veterans showed promise, validating that the team’s depth and legacy remain in good hands.
