MTB team competes at state championships

Twelve GHS mountain bike riders competed at the Colorado High School Cycling League state championships in Glenwood Springs on Oct. 19 and 20.

The weekend began on Saturday with freshman riders Emmitt Aspey and Delaney Olmstead, who delivered solid performances to conclude their first high school race season. Their efforts set a positive tone for the team, and marked the end of a successful debut season.

The JV riders followed with a series of competitive races. Senior and captain Porter Houck, along with Owen Frazier and Colin Bloomer, represented the Cowboys in the JV boys category. It was one of the largest groups, with 155 riders spanning grades ninth through 12th.

Frazier finished 17th in 52:42. At the same time, Porter completed the 11-mile course with a finish in 59:07, which featured flowy singletrack descents, technical switchbacks and climbs through piñon and sagebrush. Bloomer finished shortly after, crossing the line at 1:01:42. On the girls side, Emily Cattles and Atalaya Hausdoerffer placed 58th and 75th, finishing the season strong.

On Sunday, the sophomore boys demonstrated their resilience and determination. Kyle Mason and Caleb Woodward engaged in a competitive battle to determine the points leader in their category for the Cowboys.

The two riders pushed each other to the limit, with Mason making an impressive leap up eleven places to finish 46th. Not far behind, Woodward surged ahead by 14 spots — crossing the finish line 22 seconds after Mason to secure 51st place. Carbon Kruthaupt also had a strong ride, and all the Sophomore Boys landed in the top 100. Spirits were high as the boys celebrated an exciting race and a well-deserved finish.

The weekend concluded on a poignant note as varsity riders Norah Lee and Olivia Neyman wrapped up their high school mountain biking careers. Their dedication and leadership will have a lasting impact on the Cowboy mountain bike team. With the 2024 season complete, the team bids a heartfelt farewell to its three graduating seniors, who now embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives. They leave behind a legacy of hard work and passion for the sport.

(Marlo Frazier is a GHS mountain bike team parent.)