SYLVAN GROVE, KS – Wilson Lake Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trails were the location for the first race of season four of Kansas NICA’s mountain bike race series. Nine teams total were excited to visit Wil- son Lake for the ‘Wicked at Wilson’ NICA race held April 7th. All of the teams tackled the high winds for the pre-ride day and it continued into the race day Sunday. The teams joining the Raptors came from Topeka, Emporia, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Manhattan, Wichita, Louisburg and Olathe with 163 student athletes racing bikes at the lake.
The junior high boys started the day at 9:30 a.m. completing two laps for 8th grade was Parker Wil- liams coming in at 6th place, Zane Betzold in 18th, Luke Hartsock in 26th and Brodey Schreiber fol- lowed in 28th with one lap. The 7th grade boys competing with 2 laps were Clayton Underwood in 8th, Marcus Hollerich in 16th. Kylian Alvis finished in 19th and Devon Ackerman in 21st, both completing 1 lap. Racing in the 6th grade category with 1 lap was Ayden Voeltz. The race laps were approximately a 4 mile loop of single track, traveling over rocky obstacles, winding through trees and even along the water’s edge at one point.
The lady Raptors were the next wave with Norah Ellenz placing 1st in the JV category with four laps. The Freshmen ladies followed with Olivia Dail in 2nd and Abby Rigney in 4th, both completing three laps. Keira Schmitt placed 6th with 2 laps, Anastasya Schreiber in 9th and Vanessa Underwood in 10th, both finishing 1 lap. The 8th grade girls followed with Tennyson Donley in 1st, Izabell Dail in 2nd, Addisen Schreiber in 4th, all with two laps, then Emaleigh Swindler in 9th with one lap. Elizabeth Palen completed 2 laps with a 2nd place finish as a 7th grade racer. Emmalee Dail finished in 5th place in the 6th grade category to complete the lady Raptors.
The Raptor’s JV boys competing were, Isaac Palen placing 2nd and Harlan Pancost in 7th, both fin- ishing 5 laps. The Sophomore boys competing were Colton Jeardoe in 5th and Luke Hollerich in 7th, both completing 3 laps. Jeremiah Roderick placed 4th in the Freshmen category with 4 laps.
“The NCK Raptor athletes and coaches were excited to race at Wilson Lake for the season opener of the Kansas NICA race season. Our young riders have shown great improvement and we’re all looking forward to ‘Fat Tires on the Farm’ as the Raptors host the second race at Palen Family Farms, east of Tipton, KS, April 21st,” commented Coach John McClure. The Kansas League is looking for volunteers for the race weekend at Palen Family Farms. Please find the signup link at the NCK Raptor’s
