High Altitude Favors Mountain Teams at Cloud City Challenge in Leadville Race 2 of Colorado High School Cycling League
Leadville, Colorado – Race 2 of the Colorado High School Cycling League 2013 series climbed to Leadville for the Cloud City Challenge at the Colorado Mountain College Timberline Campus. The 5.9-mile course with approximately 630 feet of climbing per lap was a thrilling combination of Lake County trails maintained by the Cloud City Wheelers. The new course designed by local Coach Bruce Kelly received rave reviews from veteran racers of the Colorado League who enthusiastically commented that it was their favorite course ever!
The high altitude favored Division 1 teams from mountain areas with Animas taking first, Vail Valley second, and Summit third for the day. Vail Valley moved past Fairview and Boulder in the overall team Division 1 standings. Grand Valley and Durango maintained first and second among Division 2 teams and Green Mtn moved to third overall. The Leadville team proudly took third for the day.
Locals rallied as Leadville is a new host city for the Colorado League. Lake County High School Principal, Christina Gosselin, was happy to welcome participants as an early morning parking volunteer. Aarika Johnson, Leadville JV racer, warmed up the chilly morning with a resounding acapella version of the national anthem. A freezing rain spurred race officials to reduce the girls’ race by 1 lap for all categories. The Freshman and Sophomore boys enjoyed a warm sunny race while inclement weather caused the Varsity and JV boys races to be called early for the second time this season.
Animas High Principal, Michael Ackerman witnessed the team victory and commented, "The Colorado League showcases the commitment, perseverance and athleticism of regional student athletes. Whether it was a freshman rider tackling their first single track race or the amazing talents of the League's varsity racers, the positive attitudes and camaraderie exhibited in Leadville was something special to behold. Undoubtedly, this is an amazing opportunity for students to experience the area's natural beauty and I cannot wait for more great action at Race #3!" The Colorado League series travels to the Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch in Elbert October 6th before the series finale in Eagle October 20th.
Team results for Cloud City Challenge Race 2
Division 1: 14 Teams
1. Animas High School 3924
2. Vail Valley Comp 3880
3. Summit High School 3855
Division 2: 25 Total Teams
1. Grand Valley Comp 1970
2. Durango High 1954
3. Leadville 1911
Overall Team Standings After 2 Races
Division 1:
1. Vail Valley Comp 7820
2. Fairview HS 7752
3. Boulder High School 7685
Division 2:
1. Grand Valley Comp 4057
2. Durango High 3893
3. Green Mtn Comp 3683
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Day begins with cold rain for Varsity girls start. McCauley Smith (008), Boulder on front line staging, flanked by Robin Austin (020) Animas and Sierra Trout (003) Durango. Photo Leslie Farnsworth-Lee.
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Varsity girl racer India Waller, Animas, a 4-year Colorado League veteran, was in great form taking first. Lara Lufkin, Leadville, showed her familiarity with the course with a solid second place. She was thrilled to be back on her bike. An injury kept Lufkin from racing the opener at Snow Mountain Ranch. Claire Vandeyacht, Summit, earned third place which puts her within 2 points of series leader Marta Morris from Grand Valley.
The Varsity and JV boys races were cut short again due to thunderstorms, lightning and a cold rain. Cameron Bobb, Summit took first. Garrett Geracher, Boulder leads the series with his second place performance. Trevor von Boeck, Highlander Comp, brought home a bronze.
Girls Varsity Division 1/2 - 2 laps
1. India Waller (12) Animas High 1:02:31.41
2. Lara Lufkin (15) Leadville 1:05:09.08
3. Claire Vandeyacht (5) Summit High 1:07:25.90
4. Johanne Albrigtsen (6) Fairview HS 1:09:03.82
5. Marta Morris (14) Grand Valley 1:09:18.85 (Series Leader)
Boys Varsity Division 1/2 - 2 laps weather ended race early
1. Cameron Bobb (30) Summit High 50:19.60
2. Garrett Gerchar (50) Boulder High 50:33.45 (Series Leader)
3. Trevor von Boeck (44) Highlander Comp 50:56.12
4. Brady Smith (43) Cheyenne Mtn 51:57.41
5. Zack Jensen(68) Poudre High School 52:02.16
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Cameron Bobb (030) Summit Varsity winner is chased by Garrett Gerchar (050) Boulder second place for the day. Gerchar earns the overall series lead by 5 points. Photo Gilbert Barth.
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Camryn Sippy, Animas, JV, and Katja Freeburn, Durango, rode the first lap together. Sippy pushed to first place by a mere 12 seconds. Birgit Morris, Grand Valley, earned another bronze for the season.
The boys JV races were plagued by another weather race closure. Quintin Cook, Vail Valley, maintained the series lead. Keenan Desplanques, Animas and Jack Tanner, Fairview battled at the finish line for second and third. Kai Sherman, Crested Butte, JV D2, first place crowned him as the new series leader. Nic Jenkins, Fountain Valley, took second with Jonah Howe, Grand Valley, fought for third over Stephan Haas, Green Mtn and Grant Gipson, Leadville.
Division 1/2 JV Girls - 2 laps
1. Camryn Sippy (119) Animas High 1:03:38.16 (Series Leader)
2. Katja Freeburn (118) Durango High 1:03:50.03
3. Birgit Morris (117) Grand Valley 1:07:11.98
4. Brenna Hattler (105) Golden High 1:09:53.58
5. Savannah Adams (146) East High 1:11:30.45
Division 1 JV Boys - 2 laps weather ended race early
1. Quintin Cook (276) Vail Valley Comp 54:23.44 (Series Leader)
2. Keenan Desplanques (284) Animas High 54:58.05
3. Jack Tanner (230) Fairview HS 54:59.52
4. Cooper Wiens (221) Gunnison HS 55:14.28
5. Kaden Sites (291) Salida High School 57:07.23
Division 2 JV Boys - 2 laps
1. Kai Sherman (308) Crested Butte 26:51.13 (Series Leader)
2. Nic Jenkins (327) Fountain Valley 26:58.79
3. Jonah Howe (314) Grand Valley 27:22.53
4. Stephen Haas (730) Green Mtn 27:22.83
5. Grant Gipson (371) Leadville 27:23.03
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Division 2 Team podium from Race 1 presented in Leadville. Grand Valley 1st, Durango 2nd, and Steamboat 3rd. Photo Leslie Farnsworth-Lee.
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The Sophomore girls race was a battle between Anna Schehrer, Salida, and Ellen Campbell, Durango. Schehrer protected her series lead by 4 seconds with another 1st place. The contest for third was tight between Claire Carlin, Boulder, and Melanie Sawyer, Fairview.
Luke Vidkerman, Vail Valley Comp, won another gold in the Sophomore D1 boys race. Team mate Paul Cuthbertson, wrangled for second with Stuart McKnight, Fairview. The Sophomore D2 boys was another close race. Koby Vargas, Steamboat, sprinted past Grant McCormick, Independent - Front Range Christian. Lucas Thorsness, 7220 Racing, held a 30 second gap to place 3rd ahead of Eric Conyers, CAMBYR.
Sophomore Girls - 1 lap
1. Anna Schehrer (417) Salida High 35:20.64 (Series Leader)
2. Ellen Campbell (415) Durango High 35:24.14
3. Claire Carlin (405) Boulder High 37:11.22
4. Melanie Sawyer (401) Fairview HS 37:57.45
5. Sam Ruff (402) Fort Collins HS 39:15.39
Sophomore Division 1 Boys - 2 laps
1. Luke Vickerman (557) (Leader) Vail Valley Comp 56:00.45 (Series Leader)
2. Paul Cuthbertson (556) Vail Valley Comp 57:02.71
3. Stuart Mcknight (505) Fairview HS 57:11.18
4. Bridger Schroer (507) Fairview HS 59:08.58
5. Jeremy Norris (538)Estes Park HS 59:33.22
Sophomore Division 1 Boys - 2 laps
1. Koby Vargas (609) Steamboat Comp 56:38.20
2. Grant Mccormick (602) Independent 56:38.31 (Series Leader)
3. Lucas Thorsness (608) 7220 Racing 58:11.33
4. Eric Conyers (619) CAMBYR Composite 58:24.77
5. Henry Nadell (650) CRMS 1:00:35.39
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Jason Hunley, Sophomore D1 Columbine. Photo Paul Magnuson.
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The Freshman girls race was the closest female competition of the day with the top three racers within one minute of each other. Hallie Whittington, Salida, powered to first place by 29 seconds over Sydney Sappenfield, Vail Valley Comp.
Animas High (D1) and Steamboat Comp (D2) Freshman boy racers were strong in their respective fields. Summit, Josiah Humphreys, beat series leader Keiran Eagen, Animas with Ross Ellwood, Boulder placed third for Freshman D1 boys. Josh Schroeder, Green Mtn, leads the series with a first place. Jett Seymour, Steamboat, raced to his second silver podium for the season and Lucas Robbins, Durango, took third.
Freshman Division 1/2 Girls - 1 lap
1. Hallie Whittington (715) Salida High School 34:11.59
2. Sydney Sappenfield (723) Vail Valley Comp 34:40.35 (Series Leader)
3. Molly Madden (711) Fairview HS 34:58.69
4. Camryn Kercher (703) Highlands Ranch Comp 37:07.26
5. Zoe Livran (717) Vail Valley Comp 38:39.62
Freshman Division 1 Boys - 2 laps
1. Josiah Humphreys (874) Summit High School 57:55.65
2. Keiran Eagen (879) Animas High School 58:29.22 (Series Leader)
3. Ross Ellwood (813) Boulder High School 59:27.71
4. Perrin Kileen (880) Animas High School 1:01:33.38
5. Quintin Kurtz (855) Evergreen HS 1:01:51.64
Freshman Division 2 Boys - 2 laps
1. Josh Schroeder (939) Green Mtn Comp 59:10.31 (Series Leader)
2. Jett Seymour (906) Steamboat Comp 59:14.55
3. Lucas Robbins (945) Durango High 1:02:14.24
4. Evan Barbier (904) Steamboat Comp 1:02:24.03
5. Chase Wulfman (934) Grand Valley Comp 1:03:49.62
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Estes Park Coach KT DeSantis is a familiar face as roving course marshal. Photo Leslie Farnsworth-Lee.
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The Colorado High School Cycling League founded in 2009, hosted the region's first interscholastic cross-country mountain bike race series in the fall of 2010. It was founded to promote personal development and teamwork through bicycle racing, and encourages the formation of teams at public and private high schools in Colorado and Wyoming. Regardless of ability level, the Colorado League is committed to providing a positive cycling experience for all its student-athletes. Each season includes a four-race series, a Coaches’ Summit, and a variety of day camps.
The League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities, as well as generous donors, and Colorado League sponsors including the founding national sponsor Specialized Bicycle Components; as well as establishing sponsors Easton Foundations, SRAM, and Trek Bicycles; major sponsors Primal Wear, Sho-Air, Clif Bar & Company, Quality Bicycle Products, Eagle Outside, Osprey Packs, OpticNerve, Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Wheels Manufacturing, Yeti Cycles, CamelBak, GU, Kinetic, Maxxis, Honey Stinger, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Feedback Sports, and F ort Lewis College; media partners Mountain Flyer, 303Cycling, Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Rag, and Cyclingnews. For more information on the League, visit or contact Kate Rau at kate@coloradomtb.org, Tel. (720) 272-9282.
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