In the fourth race of a five-race season in the SoCal division of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, the Laguna Beach Interscholastic Mountain Bike Team competed in Vail Lake, Calif., April 14-15.
The local team grabbed four top 10 finishes, including two finishes in the top five.
Thurston Middle School student Brady White took the first podium of the weekend for the team, racing in the Grade 8 boy’s category.
The second podium of the race weekend went to Brandon Thede, who won his freshman boy’s category.
“This race was definitely a bit of a nail-biter for me while I was in the middle of it. Until the second to last turn, all four leaders, including me, were one behind the other. Fortunately for me, the leader of the race made a wrong turn on the final turn of the race, and I was able to stay ahead of the rest of the racers until the finish line,” Brandon said.
Dylan White cracked a top 10 in his sophomore boy’s category among 30 racers.
Morgan Zevnik and Tasha Zentil also put out honorable efforts, with sixth and 17th positions in their divisions respectively.
Coach Larissa Connor said Vail Lake is an advantageous race course for the team, with steep uphills and technical descents.
Former national champion mountain biker Mike Lee and pro racer Larissa Connor lead the time, instructing about technique and attitude.
More info: www.lagunabeachmtb.org
