Parts maker backs Nevada Union Miners with scholarship program

Nevada Union rider Nate Byrom (#51) won a state title for the Miners and now works for WTB as a marketing coordinator. Photo Robert Lowe Photography/robertlowe.com.

Mountain bike parts maker WTB has signed-on as a Bronze Level sponsor of the NorCal High School Cycling League, creating a scholarship program that covers some race fees and provides product for the Grass Valley, Calif.-based Nevada Union High School Mountain Bike Team.



The Nevada Union Miners are one of the league's oldest and most active teams. Photo Robert Lowe Photography/robertlowe.com.

"Our goal is to get as many kids as possible to experience mountain bike riding and racing," said WTB's OEM Sales Manager and factory racer Jason Moeschler. "We want to share WTB's passion for cycling and the outdoors with them."

The team-the Nevada Union Miners-is made up of 29 riders and WTB's sponsorship coincides with the opening of their new office in nearby Nevada City, making it a natural fit for the company.

"The WTB scholarship fund will help deserving Nevada City kids to ride and race their bikes, which we believe directly contributes to the formation of strong bodies, strong minds and strong characters," said NorCal High School Cycling League Executive Director Vanessa Hauswald. "WTB has stepped up in a major way to directly support the student-athletes from one of our longest standing, most active high school mountain bike teams-the Nevada Union Miners."



Buddy Newman raced on the mountain bike team for Nevada Union High School (left) a few years ago and now does graphic design (right) for WTB. He, Byrom, Evan Smith and Jeremiah Newman all transitioned form team member to employee. Photo Robert Lowe Photography/robertlowe.com.

Founded in 2001, the NorCal High School Cycling League is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which organizes and oversees a series of 11 interscholastic mountain bike races in northern California.

Other league sponsors include Specialized Bicycle Components, Easton Foundations, SRAM, Trek Bicycles, Clif Bar & Company, Clif Bar Foundation, Giro, Primal Wear, Quality Bicycle Products, GU Sports, CamelBak, Kinetic, Maxxis, Cannondale, DeFeet, Easton, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, Kinetic, Lizard Skins, Optic Nerve, Sho-Air, Ritchey Designs, Levi's GranFondo, Capo, Felt Bicycles, Mike's Bikes, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Violich Farms, Osmo and WTB.