Cyclists shine in mountain bike competition

The Sisters Outlaws mountain bike team competed in the NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) Oregon state championships, held at Barnes Butte Recreation area in Prineville on October 20.

The championship race brought together both the North and South league conferences, and with more than 400 student athletes the large fields created deep competition and tight racing.

Photo courtesy Jon Fogarty

The Sisters Outlaws mountain bike team finished strong in competition in Prineville this month.

"The Outlaws all put in monster efforts in their respective categories and it paid off," Coach Jon Fogarty reported. "The team finished third out of 38 teams in the state!"

The Sisters High School team is made up of five riders, making it one of the smallest teams in the league.

"Despite the numbers, our focused riders battled to multiple podiums," said Fogarty.

Senior Lilly Pomering placed fifth. Junior Weston Dean placed fifth. Sophomore Josie Ryan placed third.

"In the huge, 85-deep HS1 boys field, our two freshmen, Brecken Riemer and Gavin Elbers finished fourth and 38th respectively," Fogarty said.

With only one middle school rider in attendance the team didn't have the numbers to place well in the team results, but that didn't stop Black Butte seventh grader Gavin Shultz from representing. He rode a great race, finishing sixth of 54 riders.

Full results can be found at https://my.raceresult.com/314544/#0_4C8C1F.

"This is a super awesome group of middle and high school students (and coaches!) who ride and race mountain bikes," Fogarty said. "Our primary goal is to have fun and to challenge ourselves and each other on and off the trail. Through this team experience, we gain friendship, trail stewardship and skill development. Through physical activity in the outdoors with other like-minded individuals we challenge ourselves to become both stronger as individuals and as a community."

For information about the program contact head coach Jon Fogarty at outlawsmtbteam@gmail.com. The team website is located at http://www.deschutesmtb.org/sisters-hs-outlaws-1