Missoula native Sam Schultz is having a summer to remember. Less than a month after being named to the 2012 Olympic Team, the 26-year-old can now add “National Champion” to his resume as well.

Schultz edged out his fellow Olympian Todd Wells on Saturday to win the 2012 USA Cycling cross country mountain bike national championship.

The race between Schultz and Wells was tight throughout until Wells got a flat tire with one lap to go. Schultz already had a slight lead at the time but Wells’ misfortune allowed him to cruise to the national title.

Schultz finished in 1 hour, 48 minutes and 17 seconds. Wells was 64 seconds behind.
It was a reversal of last year’s championship when Wells beat Schultz by 49 seconds for the crown.

Shultz will return to Missoula on Monday and says he looks forward to competing at the XC Tour race at Marshall Mountain next weekend.