36 years after leading the charge to create the women's Little 500, Thetas secure 9th win

Under a clear blue sky, cyclists stormed the quarter-mile cinder track at Indiana University's Armstrong Stadium. It's a weekend that the Hoosiers are known for and they don't take it lightly. Thousands of people lined the stone stadium and bleachers to celebrate the first day of the Little 500.

Kappa Alpha Theta riders Greta Heyl, Claire Tips, Kathleen Lemme, Bailey Cappella and Audrey La Valle, knew it was over after the last rider exchange. Fans of the team began to roar in excitement. Tears began to form in the eyes of coaches and riders. Each member in the pit lane embraced each other as the final rider came across the finish line.

"The minute I came out, the tears started coming," Kappa Alpha Theta rider Greta Heyl said. "We had about 5 laps to go and I think we kind of knew on our last set that we won it."

Before 1987, the women's Little 500 consisted of riders competing in a Mini 500. Instead of racing 100 laps, teams used tricycles. A team of riders from Kappa Alpha Theta wanted to compete at a higher level and lead the effort to what the women's Little 500 race is today. A new generation of riders return to continue the legacy Kappa Alpha Theta started 36 years ago, securing their ninth Little 500 title.

"I am so proud to be a part of this team," Kappa Alpha Theta team captain rider Audrey La Valle said.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: The women's Little 500 race kicks off IU's best tradition