Race 6 Report

It’s a six-hour drive down scenic highway 101 to the dusty golden hills of Central California where the SoCal High School Mountain Bike League hosted - for the second year in a row - the state finals. How amazing is it that brightly colored tents proudly showing school colors and logos from high schools all over California can organize and assemble in a matter of hours, just so that almost 1,500 high school mountain bike student-athletes can engage in the final race of what has become one of the fastest growing youth sports around. So many awesome NorCal and SoCal volunteers and staff, coaches, parents, parent-coaches, siblings, and athletes filled the fields with energy, enthusiasm, and expectation. For some, it was an exciting first, and for others an end to four years of high school racing. 

Marin Catholic had four riders competing at the state level this year. In the first race of the morning, freshman Kyle Hammer raced very well and finished 18th in a field of 90 riders (top 20%!). Then, in the sophomore girls race, out of 47 sophomores, Siena McGibben took 9th (that’s top 10 in the state, even topping her last year’s 10th place finish!). Finally, in the last race of the day, our two JV racers each left it all on the course as well, along with the other 92 boys at the starting line with them. Nick Abell finished 73d, has continued to develop as an athlete this season, and will be our senior rider next year. Senior Drew Nash finished his last high school mountain bike race 52nd, marked with a coat of dust, a sunburn, and a smile. As a team, Marin Catholic placed 21st out of 88 D2 teams, and that puts our small but dedicated team in the top 25% in the state. Nice work, and something to build on for next year.

At the end of the day, after Michelle Abell’s wonderful lunch of chili, corn bread, and salad, tents came down, bikes were loaded, and hugs, handshakes and high-fives were exchanged. Vehicles lined up to get on the highway headed for homes all over California, while riders fell asleep in their seats, and parents and coaches sipped caffeine with one hand and steadied the steering wheel for home with the other. End-of-year activities, finals, graduations, and summer plans are just around the next sweeping turn. What a view, what a ride. 

Until next season, this is your (worn out but proud) MC MtB Team Director, signing off.