Full results available at: http://www.norcalmtb.org/race/results.htm
PHOTO CAPTIONS BELOW, RESULTS ATTACHED. All photos credit: Robert Lowe
COBB, CA – The first full state championships for high school mountain bikers took place on Sunday, May 17, at Boggs Mountain, Cobb, California, when 374 students from as far south as San Diego and as far north as Redding converged for the California High School Mountain Bike Championships, presented by Touchstone Climbing and Fitness.
“Once again these kids, and their parents, and the coaches leave me speechless with admiration. We now have more than 600 school kids competing in California high school leagues. The SoCal riders did just great, we can see there is a lot of talent already in that league. There is so much going on in high school mountain biking, but as the pinnacle of what we are doing, this event made me proud,” said League director and founder Matt Fritzinger.
New faces from the upstart SoCal League made their mark, getting all the way to the top of the results in some categories and showing that although the NorCal riders benefit from the depth and intensity of the competition they have created for themselves, the talent pool covers the entire state.
If the event had a theme, it was camaraderie. The intensity of the racing made it clear that everybody was riding as fast as they could, but the stories about riders stopping to help fallen colleagues, and the excitement for the success of others showed that this event was about much more than winning.
Apart from the state championships, the event at Boggs Mountain served as the final round of the NorCal series. The Drake Pirates team held onto the lead they had enjoyed all season to deservedly claim the Division I title, ahead of the San Rafael Bulldogs and Nevada Union Miners. “We made some adjustments this year to increase the commitment of the riders to the team. The kids adapated and it’s worked out really well for all our coaches. Right now I’m ecstatic and exhausted,” said Paul Chourre, head coach of the 34-rider Drake program, about 10 seconds before the kids dumped a cooler full of ice on him.
In Division II, the San Marin High School team finished strong to earn the title after a season-long struggle with Marin Catholic and the Monterey Bay Kingfishers, who took second and third respectively. “Winning was a goal for me this year, but I never really talked about it with the kids as I didn’t want to pressure them. We got so close last year, it was evident it was a possibility,” said Adam Nuyens, head coach of the 12-rider San Marin team.
The six-mile woodland loop through Boggs Demonstration Forest provided a broad ranging test of talent, suited best to the all-round rider with good bike handling skills. The trails were dry, the dust was up, and it was hot—somewhere in the 90s—for much of the day. The racing conditions were far from easy.
As they have done all season long, John Bennett of El Cerrito and the remarkable freshman Shayna Powless, an independent competitor, proved unbeatable in the Varsity division, although they were pushed hard by spirited rides from Nate Byrom and Christine Weir, both from Nevada Union. Both Bennett and Powless went home with the NorCal series win and the state championship. Another outstanding freshman, Bryan Duke of Salinas High, won the state championship and clinched the Junior Varsity Division I series with an impressive win, while in the Junior Varsity Girls, independent rider Ruth Winder took the series, but it was Courtney Crosta of Woodcreek who found herself on the top step of the podium for the first time this season after winning the state championship race. Andrew Taylor from the Contra Costa Composite team claimed the JV Division II series with a powerful ride that also sealed the state championship for him.
A great day for SoCal rider Peter Morris of the Newport Beach Composite team saw him win the Sophomore Boys Division II state championship, and is the first time, though surely not the last, that a high school state championship MTB title was taken home to the southern end of the state. The Norcal series winner was Carter Williams of Monterey Bay. Roman Brockley of Drake High won the Sophomore Boys Division I and state championship. Morganne Endicott of San Ramon Valley won the Sophomore Girls series, while Sofia Hamilton of Drake High became the state champion.
The Frosh category winners were: Isaiah Rapko of Berkeley High (Division I series and state championship); Herculaas Botha of San Marin High (Division II series and state championship); and Sofia Gomez Villafane of Los Gatos High (series and state championship).
About the NorCal League
The NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, founded in 2000, is a non-profit organization open to students from both public and private schools. The League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities as well as generous donors and sponsors including the founding sponsor of the SoCal League, Easton Sports Development Foundation II (ESDFII), the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, Clif Bar, Inc., Shimano, Fox Racing Shox, Gary Fisher Bikes, Bikes Belong, Ritchey Bicycle Components, Crank Brothers, Creation Engine, Hincapie Sportswear, Mike’s Bikes, The Pedaler, Paradigm Cycles, HappyGoFun, Mountain Hardwear, WTB, and Touchstone Climbing Gyms. The League provides coaching and camaraderie to help students achieve both competitive and non-competitive cross-country mountain biking goals in a safe and enjoyable manner. Each season includes a Coaches Training Conference, winter riding camps, the six-race series, and a variety of summer camps. For more information on the League visit www.norcalmtb.org or call (510) 653-2453.
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Photo Captions
1. Courtney Crosta (Woodcreek) won the junior varsity girls race.
2. The Drake Pirates team celebrates winning the NorCal League’s Division I for 2009.
3. Riders from both leagues signed a jersey for the sponsor.
4. Nate Byrom (Nevada Union) leads John Bennett (El Cerrito) starting the varsity boys’ race.
5. Sofia Hamilton (Drake) was delighted with her win in the sophomore girls championship.
6. Isaiah Rapko (Berkeley High) wears the NorCal series leader’s jersey starting his race. He won both freshman’s division I championship and series.
7. L-R, Christine Weir (Nevada Union), Tiana Rowe (Independent), and Shayna Powless (Independent) line up to start the varsity girls’ race.
8. Sam Bassetti (Drake) takes a gel in the feedzone.
source: Paul Skilbeck
“When we look back in 20 years at how big and important cycling is with kids and the population in general, we’ll be able to point back to the inception of the High School Cycling League as a catalyst,” stated Gary Fisher, Master of Ceremonies for the event. “What Matt Fritzinger has done in Northern California, is ready to blow-up here in Southern Cal, and then go across the country like other trends…” 
The Fullerton Loop is an 11-mile network of suburban trails that pass through city parks, horse trails, hidden pathways and creekside wilderness. Originally pieced together by Richard Cunningham of Mantis Bikes and Mountain Bike Action fame in 1983, hundreds of people ride and train on the famed loop every week. 
This year’s proceeds will benefit the SoCal High School Cycling League, which will bring cycling to Southern California High Schools in 2009. Former beneficiaries of the Tour de Tryp have included the Tara Llanes Recovery Fund, CHOC Hospitals, and various other charities. 
Founded in 2001 by Berkeley High School teacher Matt Fritzinger, the the NorCal League has grown to over 400 racers, at over 38 schools. The League provides resources for teachers, coaches, parents and of course the kids, to start their own Interscholastic Mountain Bike Team and compete against other schools in their region. 
Modern Mountain Bike Pioneer Gary Fisher will be the official MC of the night, providing quips and commentary of the various activities that will be taking place during the dinner and auction. 
Current BMC and former Discovery Channel professional racer Tony Cruz will be the Official Guest of Honor for the gala event at Ca Del Sole. 
