Westfield High School junior Jackson Clary first rode in a gravel race in the fall of 2019 in Zionsville. “I fell in love with it from there,” Clary said. Prior to that race, Clary had gone on cycling rides with his father, James Clary, earlier in 2019. “My dad had raced years prior with a cycling club, so I’ve always been around bicycles and people who liked to ride bicycles,” Clary said. “That fueled my passion to ride.” Clary, 16, said his favorite accomplishment was winning the Omnium National Championship in USA Cycling Junior Men 15-16 division in August 2024 in Redmond, Wash.“It’s how well you do over four races and I was fortunate enough to win three of them,” said Clary, who won the scratch race, elimination and long scratch race. Clary and a partner, Stephanie Lawrence, won the USA Cycling Elite Co-ed Madison National Championship in November 2024 in Detroit. “It’s basically a relay race,” Clary said. “You grab your partner’s arm and sling them into the race on the exchange.” Lawrence, a Marian University cyclist, helps coach Clary. Jackson trains under the guidance of Marian assistant coach Matt Gittings from EuroPro Coaching. Clary also captured the USA Cycling Junior American Criterium Cup series title in the 15-16 age division. “That was how well you placed over a series of races, and I went to four of the eight races,” he said. “I got three first places and one second place.” Clary said he has three main goals for 2025. “In late July, I want to bring home another title from Junior Track Nationals,” he said. “I want to win the 17-18 Omnium, and later on, I’ll be going to Elite Track National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. I have no goal as far as a result, but my goal is to meet new people, find some new friends and make some connections. I just want to do as well as I can. Depending how I do in Junior Track Nationals and Elite Track Nationals, I can qualify for the Junior World Championships in the Netherlands.” His ultimate goal is to qualify for the Summer Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles. “I like to stay with the group a long time because I have a lot of explosive power,” Clary said. “I’ll wait as long as I can and sprint toward the finish line. I have a big kick.” Clary said Westfield High School strength and conditioning coach Tavio Henderson has helped him improve his strength. Representing the Cleveland Cycling Academy U23 Cycling Team and the Midwest Development U19 Cycling Team, Clary has raced in 15 states and on five velodromes. He logged more than 6,000 miles in 2024 and competed in 84 races at 47 venues. What are your favorite races and why? Tulsa Tough: Cry baby hill, enough said it's crazy Trek CX Cup:The amazing atmosphere, and the course long, flowy with power sections. Snake Alley: I enjoy the switch backs on the brick climb Marian Midwest Classic: The hill with a long fast descent into a right hander to sprint finish. Harvest Gravel 50: I love it because it was my first real race when I was 10, and gravel is just fun. Hyde Park Blast:A fun course with a punchy hill, sharp corners and a 180. The Major Taylor Racing League:It’s where I fell in love with track cycling, and met some of the best people in the world Favorite athlete - Mark Cavendish Favorite movie - Ford v. Ferrari Favorite subject - Math Favorite musician - Luke Combs Favorite vacation spot - Hawaii TOP RACE RESULTS: • 2 024 USA Cycling Junior Men 15-16 Omnium National Champion • 2024 USA Cycling Junior 15-16 American Criterium Cup Series Champion • 2024 USA Cycling Junior Cup top 30 2024 Indiana State Men 15-18 Criterium Champion • 2024 Indiana State Men Cat 1,2 Points Champion 2024 Tulsa Tough Omnium Champion & ACC winner • 2024 ToAD Downer Class Cat 1,2,3 (15-18m) overall & ACC winner 2024 IU Momentum 15-18 overall & ACC winner • 2024 Snake Alley winner 2024 Melon City winner • 2024 Purdue Crit Cat 3 winner • 2024 Purdue Road Race Cat 3 winner • 2024 Harvest 50 Gravel U19 winner and top 5 overall • 2023 Dirty South Roubaix Gravel U19 winner • 2023 Purdue Crit winner • 2023 Kings Crit winner • 2023 Indiana Mass Start Junior State Champion • 2023 Indiana U19 Cyclocross State Champion • 2023 Hyde Park Blast junior and Cat 4 winner • 2023 Cobb Park 15-18 winner • 2023 IU Momentum 15-18 winner • 2023 Harvest 50 gravel race U19 winner top 30 overall • 2023 Trek cup 15-16 third place • 2023 Kings CX 15-16 winner • 2023 MidWest Challenge Major Taylor Velodrome (3 day tournament) Cat 3 - 2nd place sprints series, 1st place Scratch & Elim, 2nd place super-tempo, (76 total races)
