Crozet Gazette: Field School Mountain Biking Team Continues to Excel
By Ron Wade
Middle school boys at the Field School in Crozet finished a strong season in the Virginia Interscholastic Cycling Association, which is part of the national organization, NICA. Led by head coach Matt Ryder, the team has about 20 riders that come out to practice and eight of them participated in a series of four races this fall (Miller, Monticello, Woodberry and Stokesville).
Liam Hingley tied for first in the NICA eighth grade A group, as well as winning the juniors race at Lake Placid in early October. He pulled ahead of the co-leader in the last two races and needed just one more race for it not to be a tie. Ethan Rogers finished the season in third place for middle school boys. Two others on the team finished in the top 10 overall.
Liam Hingley (left) and Ethan Rogers with their NICA Cross Country Mountain Bike medals. Photo: Susan Rogers.
Coach Ryder had a lot to say about the boys on the team, “Watching Liam is like watching a World Cup racer. He stays near the front of the pack and powers through the end. Ethan was on the podium every single race. He’s quiet so you’ll never know how strong he is unless you come see him crushing it. He’s also got serious style. Follow him if you want to learn how to look good in the air.
“John Gruber’s hard work paid off with three top-10 finishes in the most competitive group. Each race he placed better, and he’ll be unstoppable in time for the VAHS races in the spring. Will McClain is one of our fastest younger riders who had a great season and is going to be a serious threat this spring and beyond. Tommy Clarens was unsure about racing this fall, but he showed up, pedaled hard, and finished every race. He was great example of 95% of life is just showing up. Jack Henderson is racing up a category for his grade and is consistently strong. He’s never not smiling and brings the best energy to the Field tent. Off-season training rides with him will be fun, and he’s going to come back in the spring faster than ever.
Andy Gruber was recovering from an injury, yet had strong finishes including a top 10, and didn’t complain once. I look forward to seeing him coming back full-strength in the spring. The other teams won’t know what hit them. Finally, Cabell Zahl’s first season racing was amazing. He trained hard and made finishing every race look easy.”
The team will be practicing over the winter for the VAHS spring series at locations including Mint Springs, Preddy Creek, Observatory Hill and Western Slope.
Eighth grader Liam Hingley on the podium at the NICA Cross Country Mountain Bike Race. Photo: Susan Rogers.
