Oct. 24, 2014 - Custer, WI - And, what a race day it was. Sun. Oct. 19, 120+ high school and middle school-aged students from 16 teams came to the line one last time at Cascade Mountain.
The day began with a chill in the air, but the sun broke through and the conditions were perfect for a mountain bike race. Racers were warming up on trainers, coaches were getting into position along the course - and when the air horn sounded - the races were underway.
Varsity/JV girls started the day off and gave the crowd an unbelievable race. Hanna Mork (106) Wausau United Ride and McKenna Dwyer (101) Cam Rock Composite, once again, were matching each others pace throughout the whole race - but in the end Hanna pulled ahead and crossed the line milliseconds ahead. Although Hanna took the win at Cascade, Hanna and McKenna were tied for the Overall Win in the JV Girls Category.
Middle School Girls race gave the crowd another photo finish. Throughout the series, Katy McDicken (1007) Hortonville HS took the win at each race. However, Lorissa Thorpe (1014) Wausau United Ride had Katy looking over her shoulder. But, Katy kept her pace and beat Lorissa at the line by just 12 seconds for the win! She also earned the overall leader medal for the MS Girls. Lorissa captured the 4th place in the overall medal run.
Sophomore Boys at the Start | Cascade Mountain Race #4
Girls races wrapped up just in time for the Varsity Boys races to get under way at 12:30pm.
Varsity Rider Nolan Steig (50) Janesville Comp has been posting points at every race this series. At Nordic Mountain, Race #3, he got the win and held onto the Leaders Jersey. Fletcher Arlen (53) Wausau United Ride pushed the pace and crossed the line with over 3 minutes to spare. Fletcher took the win, with Isaac Wendt (54) Independent in second and Nolan taking third.
Sophomore Daxton Mock (520) Cam Rock Composite has been a constant presence on the podium. Cole McDicken (507) Hortonville HS took the lead at the start. Daxton took over the lead and Cole and Tristan Hauser (511) Wausau United Ride kept their pace to follow across the line behind Daxton, who took the win. Tristan took second and Cole taking third.
"Cascade Mountain delivered for our racers and our spectators," said WI League Co-Director Kathy Mock. "What a tremendous finish for the 2014 inaugural race series and an incredible start for the WI League."
Middle School Girls
1. Katy McDicken (1007) -- Hortonville HS
2. Lorissa Thorpe (1014) -- Wausau United Ride
3. Leah Fletcher (1003) -- Mukwonago Comp
4. Johanna Craig (1017) -- Wausau United Ride
5. Erin Bennett (1000) -- Wausau United Ride
Middle School Boys
1. Hunter Schmitt (1133) -- Washington Cty Comp
2. Pelle Gierlach (1108) -- Independent
3. Nick Niemi (1142) -- Washington Cty Comp
4. Elliot McGinnity Schneider (1122) -- Independent
5. Porter Thorpe (1137) -- Wausau United Ride
Freshman Girls
1. Emma Osborne (703) -- LW Lutheran HS
2. Isabella Bussey (700) -- West HS Madison
3. Ashley Pernsteiner (704) -- GDU Composite
Freshman Boys
1. Victor Anderson (826) -- Wausau United Ride
2. Matthew Rodenkirch (822) -- Sun Prairie Cards
3. Owen Reich (805) --= Independent
4. Noah Hertel (825) -- GDU Composite
5. George Burns (808) -- La Crosse HS
Sophmore Girls
1. Ella Shively (402) -- La Crosse HS
2. Ruth Hallstead (401) -- La Crosse HS
Sophmore Boys
1. Daxton Mock (502) -- Cam Rock Composite
2. Tristan Hauser (511) -- Wausau United Ride
3. Cole McDicken (507) -- Hortonville HS
4. Alex Halfman (506) -- Hortonville HS
5. Jan-Edward Gierlach (510) -- Independent
Junior Varsity Girls:
1. Hanna Mork (106) -- Wausau United Ride
2. Mckenna Dwyer (101) -- GDU Composite
3. Allyson Jordans (107) -- SPASH
4. Ava Miller (103) -- Shorewood Greyhound
Varsity Girls
No Racers for this category on Race Day.
Varsity Boys
1. Fletcher Arlen (53) -- Wausau United Ride
2. Isaac Wendt (54) -- Independent
3. Nolan Steig (50) -- Janesville
Team - Results
1. Wausau United Ride
2. Cam Rock Climber Composite Team
3. SPASH MTB
Hunter Schmitt | MS Boys Overall Winner
2014 WI League Overall Team and Individual Leaders
Overall Individual and Team Standings after 4 races.
Individual Category Leaders
Varsity Girls
Emma Swartz (001) | Independent
Varsity Boys
Fletcher Arlen (53) | Wausau United Ride
JV Girls - Tied for First
Mckenna Dwyer (101) | CamRock Climbers Composite Team
Hanna Mork (106) | Wausau United Ride
JV Boys
Justin Wentworth (342) | Independent
Soph Girls
Ella Shively (402) | La Crosse Composite HS Team
Soph Boys
Tristan Hauser (511) | Wausau United Ride
Frosh Girls
Emma Osborne (703) | LW Lutheran HS Team
Frosh Boys
Matthew Rodenkirch (822) | Sun Prairie Comp
MS Girls
Katy McDicken (1007) | Hortonville Team
MS Boys
Hunter Schmitt (1133) | Ozaukee Washington City Composite Team
Team Standings
1 Wausau United Team
2 CamRock Climbers Composite Team
3 SPASH MTB
Varsity Boys Cascade Race #4 | All Graduating Seniors!
GRADUATING SENIORS
Congratulations to all of our graduating Seniors! Each of these racers were able to help launch a new sport for Wisconsin youth. Thank you to all.
The WI League core staff, racers and volunteers wish you success as you embark on the next stage of your life and be sure to keep on riding!
RACER NAME - TEAM AND SCHOOL
Fletcher Arlen - Wausau United Ride
Attends: Wausau West HS
William Bettinger - Riverside Composite
Attends: South Milwaukee HS
Benjamin Carter - Westosha Composite
Attends: Westosha Central HS
Jack Jones - SPASH HS
Attends: SPASH HS
Ben Kubiak - Janesville Velo
Attends: Craig HS
Kenn Larson - Independent
Attends: Brookfield East
John Nelson - Janesville Velo
Attends: Craig HS
Jack Niewold - Madison West HS
Attends: Madison West HS
Al Page - SPASH HS
Attends: SPASH HS
Garrett Roth - Shorewood Greyhounds
Attends: Shorewood HS
Dakota Smith - Janesville Velo
Attends: Milton HS
Nolan Steig - Janesville Velo
Attends: Craig HS
Emma Swartz - Independent
Attends: East Madison HS
Alex Taitt - CamRock Climbers Composite
Attends: Cambridge HS
John Tan - Madison West HS
Attends: Madison West HS
Justin Wentworth - Independent
Attends: New London HS
Isaac Wendt - Independent
Attends: Rhinelander HS
UP NEXT:
With the close of the inaugural WI High School Cycling League series, preparations are already underway for the 2015 race season.
Know anyone who is interested in racing or coaching for next year? Take a minute to review the WI League Team Starter Kit. Great way to get orientated with how to start and grow a team!
Regional Media Contact:
Libby Hurley. libby@minnesotamtb.org 952.835.4540
The four-event Wisconsin League is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), a self-funded non-profit youth development organization that governs high school mountain biking in the United States.
JV Girls celebrate before the start | Race #4 Cascade
About the Wisconsin High School Cycling League
The Wisconsin High School Cycling League, founded in 2013, serves all Wisconsin high school and middle school-aged students, and regardless of ability level, is committed to providing a positive co-ed cycling experience. Each WI League season includes summer clinics, a four-race series, and a Spring Leaders’ Summit for training and certification of coaches. The WI League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities, as well as generous donors, including WI League specific sponsors: Wisconsin Off-Road Series (WORS), Trek Bicycles, Trek Travel, Trek Bicycle Store of Madison, Wheel & Sprocket, Erik’s Bike and Board Shop, Heinrich Company, Hostel Shoppe and Wildside Adventure Sports. WI League is proud to have the support of over 25 National Sponsors, including the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components; as well as establishing NICA sponsors Easton Foundations, SRAM and Trek Bicycles. For more information on the WI League, visit wisconsinmtb.org.
