Middle School Race 3 Report – Oak Flats

The Taos Composite Middle School Team (plus one high schooler) had a great race weekend at Oak Flats with a window of perfect weather and trail conditions. This course didn’t have much climbing but it did have some significant rock gardens that added an increased technical challenge to the race. After a good pre-ride as a team to inspect the course and learn the lines through the rocks, we all camped together and shared a beautiful sunset and rainbow the evening before.

Race day began with the Taos Composite Middle School boys. The 8^th A division completed 3 laps of the 3+ mile course. Elliot Conn showed his strength and finished 3^rd with 3 very consistent lap times (all within 30 seconds). Elliot was followed by Malcolm Breier in 4^th place who finished with a winning sprint finish.

In the 7^th Grade 2-lap race, Declan MacDavitt earned another podium spot finishing 4^th with his 2^nd lap slightly faster than his 1^st. Declan also had a sprint finish with someone from another category, showing a willingness to dig deep. Bridger Smith finished 6^th 2 laps, also riding consistent times. After the race, Bridger shared that he really liked the more technical course. He also has improved his finish in each race (11^th, 7^th, and now, 6^th).

The middle school girls took to the course with category Leader, Kalia Velarde, having to cheer her teammates on this time. June Thornton went out of the start fast and confident with Amaya Dean right behind her. Both girls had some crashes but were able to recover and keep racing. June ended up finishing 2^nd while Amaya finished 4^th. Of note, Amaya’s 1^st and 3^rd laps were the same time!

Lhotse Johnson led the 7^th grade race from start to finish, enjoying passing riders from the other categories. Lhotse is in her element out there on the course. She took 1^st, riding her 2 laps only 10 seconds apart. Her lap times were faster than all racers (boys and girls) in middle school race except one. Lhotse is the points leader after winning both regular season races so far.

Our 6^th  grade girls gave the League the story of the day when they came upon an injured rider from the 7^th grade girls race. All 3 of our riders stopped, Willow Froehlich stayed with the rider while Autumn Brody ran back up the trail to get help from the Course Marshal. The injured girl ended up needing stitches in her leg. Our Taos girls really did everything right to keep her calm and get the help she needed. This is what racing is really about…supporting others and realizing that it’s not always about the finish place. The Taos girls were thanked by the League, the girl’s dad, the injured girl, and recognized at the awards ceremony. Good humans right there.

As for results, Samara Dean finished 2^nd, Willow Froehlich 3^rd, and Autumn Brody 4^th. Autumn had the fastest first lap of the 6^th grade race with her second lap slower due to stopping. Willow had the 2^nd fastest 1^st lap with her 2^nd lap also much slower.

High School athlete, Rio Johnson, who usually races in the Colorado League with our team, decided to step into the Varsity Boys race this weekend. The course was 4 laps at 4+ miles per lap. Rio was crazy consistent in his lap times (16:29, 16:26, 16:27, 17:00) and easily took the win.

Lap consistency is something we coach as this shows that an athlete knows their pace for the particular course, has the fitness to maintain the pace, and makes minimal mistakes on the course.

Our sponsor for this race, Rodger Thornton, made the trip down from Colorado Springs to be part of the excitement. We are so grateful for his support! Thank you also to the 2 high school siblings who attended to cheer on the team (Silas Conn and Abby Thornton). Our entourage of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings is truly a vibe and you all make it so much fun! Special thanks to Coaches Isla Chavez and Alex White who joined Susie for this one.

Next up for the Middle School Team is one that is closer to home, Pajarito (October 11). Ride the Rift (our free 6-hour community MTB event) is coming up on October 18 and the athleres are all fundraising on behalf of the team. www.RidetheRiftTaos.com

In the meantime, we are finding creative ways to keep riding and learning throughout the lovely rain.