The Woodland Park High School Mountain Bike Team competed last weekend in the Colorado High School Cycling League State Championship held in Glenwood Springs. Out of 12 members on the team, seven qualified for the state meet.
Students from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and South Dakota competed across four divisions, with Woodland Park’s team placed in the Crystal Division, which reflects the team’s size.
“There were 1,600 riders in the competition,” said Coach Paul Gabaldon. “Only the top 40 riders from each division. It looked like the Tour de France!”
The team persevered through a challenging summer marked by frustrating weather patterns. “We had so much lightning this summer that I kept having to cancel practice,” Gabaldon explained.
Despite these challenges, the team succeeded, with two seniors, captain Sophia Stanley and Bowen Kelm, providing valuable experience and leadership.
“They raced all four years and offer peer support,” Gabaldon noted.
Stanley and junior Henry Mauer were the only returning competitors from last year’s state competition, showcasing their commitment to the sport. In a recent race, Stanley achieved an impressive ranking in the top nine of all varsity cyclists in Colorado.
“Anybody who can break into the top 10 in Colorado is incredible,” Gabaldon said. “In mountain biking competition, Colorado is at the top of the nation. I would say Utah is our top competitor.”
To qualify for state, the cyclists raced in Leadville, Eagle, Fountain, and Nathrop. “The racecourse is on trails designed for high-school riders,” Gabaldon added, noting that races typically span at least 12 miles.
For the state competition, the course was approximately 18 miles, consisting of three laps around a 6-mile trail.
Despite the physical demands, Gabaldon emphasized that the racers are eager to compete. “They work hard. They are a tight-knit group and respect the coaches. We can’t make them ride hard.”
Headquarters for the Colorado High School Cycling League State Championship were located on the campus of Colorado Mountain College.
The competing team included:
Sophia Stanley, Captain, Legacy Rider (all 4 years)
Bowen Kelm, Legacy Rider
Henry Mauer, Junior
AJ Holtorf, Sophomore
Ruby Kelm, Freshman
Ian Lehtinen, Freshman
Kaleb Grandmaiter, Freshman
Stay tuned for the results to come, and be sure to follow the Woodland Park High School Mountain Bike Team on Facebook for updates!
Source: Pikes Peak Courier
For more information on the Colorado High School Cycling League, visit their official website.
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