SYLVAN GROVE, KS – Wilson Lake Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trails were the location for the first race of season five of Kansas NICA’s mountain bike race series. Eleven teams were stoked to visit Wilson Lake, home to one of the state’s most well known systems of single track, for the ‘Wicked at Wilson’ NICA race held April 6th. The pre-ride day brought cold winds, but Sunday race day, was the perfect riding formula. The teams joining the Raptors came from Topeka, Emporia, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Manhattan, Wichita, Louisburg, Olathe, Lindsborg & Great Bend with 159 student athletes racing bikes at the lake.
The junior high boys started the day at 9:30 a.m. and completing two laps for 8th grade was Clayton Underwood coming in at 9th place and Kylian Alvis placing 11th. Racing in the 7th grade boys category completing 2 laps was Austin Rothenberger in 18th. Samuel Jordan raced in the 6th grade also finishing 2 laps with 11th place. 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 Olivia Dail placing 3rd in the JV category with four laps. Soph- omore Abby Rigney followed with 3rd place completing three laps. The Freshmen lady Raptors were up next with Tennyson Donley in 1st, Izabell Dail in 3rd, Addisen Schreiber in 5th and Chloe Helus in 8th, all with three laps.
The 8th grade girls followed with Climena Jordan in 7th place finishing two laps. Emmalee Dail came in 6th place in the 7th grade category to complete the lady Raptors.
Harlan Pancost competed in the Varsity boys division, resulting in a 5th place podium finish with five laps. The Raptor’s JV boys competing were, Colton Jeardoe placing 7th with five laps and Luke Hollerich in 9th, finishing 4 laps. Connor Sumpter raced in the Sophomore category coming in 9th with three laps. The Freshmen boys were led by Parker Williams placing 6th with four laps, Brodey Schreiber 15th, Zane Betzold in 18th, Luke Hartsock in 22nd and Caden May in 24th, all with three laps.
“The NCK Raptor athletes and coaches were excited to race at Wilson Lake for the season opener of the Kansas NICA race season. All of our returning athletes and first year riders have shown great improve- ment and we’re all looking forward to ‘Crankin’ the Creek’ for the second race at Fancy Creek State Park, Randolph, KS, April 13th,” commented Coach John McClure.
For more information about joining the team or to join as a coach, visit http://www.facebook.com/NCKRaptors.
