Melissa Buhl Take Jeep 48STRAIGHT Championships

In the women's competition, Chandler, Arizona's Melissa Buhl put an exclamation point on a brilliant Jeep season that saw her finish second in New Jersey and first in Utah, not to mention earning three U.S. National Championships (mountaincross, downhill and dual slalom) and the World 4-Cross Championship. Her second place finish in San Luis Obispo earned her the season championship, and further solidified her standing as one of the most dominant racers in the sport. Buhl earned victories over Leslie Slagle of El Cajon, California, and Lisa Myklak of Boulder, Colorado, before reaching the Championship Heat against Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain. Griffiths, a three-time World Cup winner who has never missed a Jeep race during the event's six year history, was dominant throughout the day, beginning with a win over Folsom, California's Joanna Peterson and a subsequent stunner over season points leader and National Champion Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, California, to reach the finals. Griffiths pulled out the victory over Buhl to earn the individual event title. Pruitt topped Myklak in the consolation heat to earn third place.

"I felt confident today because I really liked the speed and layout of the course, which matches my race style," said Buhl. "This whole season has been amazing for me, and is by far the best I've ever ridden. I am having a great time, and I know that I'll now have a target on my back and I'll have to work harder and harder to stay at this level."

The championship winner at San Luis Obispo received $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. The season champion received additional sponsor bonuses from Paul Mitchell and the keys to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Overall, the prize purse for Jeep 48STRAIGHT topped $100,000, making it one of the highest cash payouts in the sport.

OVERALL CHAMPIONS
Men's Champion - Eric Carter - Temecula, California.
Women's Champion - Melissa Buhl - Chandler, Arizona.

Women's San Luis Obispo Results
1. Fionn Griffiths - Great Britain
2. Melissa Buhl - Chandler, Ariz.
3. Kathy Pruitt - Santa Cruz, Calif.
4. Lisa Myklak - Boulder, Colo.
5. Michelle Rivera - La Puente, Calif.
6. Stephanie Nychka - Gresham, Ore.
7. Joanna Peterson - Folsom, Calif.
8. Leslie Slagle - El Cajon, Calif.

The Jeep 48STRAIGHT event from San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on November 1.