BY MARIA PREKEGES
Twenty-three teams and 355 racers from across the state of Idaho competed at the High School National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s state championship, and this year Wood River Mountain Bike Team earned the first-place championship title. Student athletes from all around the state in middle and high school traveled to numerous locations throughout Idaho and Wyoming between Aug. 27 and Oct. 8 to compete. The four-stop season culminated in the Boise foothills at the Avimor community trails.
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association, or NICA, was started by the state’s executive director, Dylan Gradhandt, in 2014.
A year later, NICA had a four-race series followed by a five-race series in 2016. Scholastic mountain biking began in California 15 years ago. There are 19 league states with students ranging from middle school through high school.
“NICA is a great association,” said Cameron Lloyd, head coach of the Wood River Mountain Bike Team. “They are able to meld kids who just want to get out and be part of a group and those that want to be competitive bike racers. Doing so allows everyone to have a good time.”
Joel Zellers, director of the Wood River Mountain Bike Team, said the NICA, and Wood River teams, are an all-inclusive program.
“Our team is comprised of students of all ages, abilities and grades,” Zellers said. “Our team is not limited to a certain number of students nor is it restricted to ability levels. All students on the team have the opportunities to practice, hang out with the team and race if they choose to. Our goal is to expose students to mountain biking and build friendships that are long lasting.”
Sponsor bike shops offer discounts on new mountain bikes, but for those students who don’t have a bike to ride, the program also offers a loaner program, which takes place August through October. To receive a loaner bike, student athletes must commit to the entire season by registering, signing up for their local team, and entering at least two races. There is also a required grade point average and a code of conduct that must be adhered to.
For more information on the loaner bike program, and to sign up for a team, visit idahomtb.org.