washington state mountain bike races

Port Townsend, Jefferson County & Olympic Peninsula's news website

6/12/2013 6:00:00 AM Olympic Mountain Bike Team dominates season Team has 6 champions, winners in all divisions at state

The Olympic Mountain Bike Team (OMBT), known as the Killer Whales and composed of cyclists from local high schools, dominated the competition this season. After winning first place overall at each of the past three races, the OMBT met and beat 16 other teams at the state championship on May 19 in Washougal. The Killer Whales had six state champions and sent racers, often more than one, to the podium in every division. Cassie Ross won the girls’ varsity category, completing a sweep by winning all of her races this season. Mazy Braden was the girls’ junior varsity winner. In the intermediate category, Annalise Rubida placed first, and Camille Ottaway, third. Riley Fukano achieved third, and Sage Brennan placed fourth in the beginner category. For the varsity boys, Milo Steimle finished second, and Joseph Tweiten, fifth. In the closest race of the day, Luca Freier won the junior varsity race by 0.2 seconds; this was after racing for more than an hour. The Killer Whales showed the state their up-and-coming strength in the boys’ intermediate and beginner divisions. In the largest field with 31 riders, intermediate rider Andy Hull beat teammate Oliver Parish by less than two seconds; they placed first and second, and Joel Mackey tied for fourth. Completing the domination, Groves Moore finished first; David Hoglund, second; Miguel Salguero, third; Calvin Leckenby, fourth; and Jack Doyle tied for fifth in the beginner category. Eli Biskup, Jake Brady and Gus Wennstrom competed throughout the season, but did not attend this race. Winners at Washougal were declared state champions. In addition, the Washington Student League recognizes the top three overall point winners in each category. OMBT overall point winners for the girls were Ross (varsity) and Ottaway (intermediate). The boys’ winners were Freier (junior varsity), Hull (intermediate) and Moore (beginner). Coach Christian Young raced in the coaches’ race on a non-suspension single-speed bike and handily beat all competitors except one, a former teammate from his racing days. The two raced up the hill to the finish, clasped hands and happily tied. OMBT coaches are all volunteers: Young, Doug Ross, Dash Tudhope-Locklear, Davis Fogerty, Elizabeth Salvo, Paul Hershberger, Bob Larson and Garth Gourley. Doug Ross, OMBT director, credits the team’s success to the tremendous support from coaches, families and teammates encouraging each other, as well as to the greater Port Townsend community for coming together with an enthusiastic effort to get kids on bikes and on local trails. “It starts at home, is enhanced by coaches who have a passion for cycling, is supported by our community’s trails and resources, and the trickle-down effect leads to great things for kids,” Ross said. Ross also gives special recognition to Young, former Washington state mountain bike and cyclo-cross champion, for sharing his passion with the team. Local bike shops (Broken Spoke, PT Cyclery and ReCyclery) provided technical support, discounts, safety equipment and even bikes. Evergreen Fitness spin instructors Amber Arnold and Karen and Mitch Brennan led classes for the team free of charge. Bob’s Bagels, Optic Nerve, Contour and Gooding O’Hara & Mackey also sponsored the team. All OMBT racers who competed at state placed high enough to qualify for the USA Cycling Cross-Country Mountain Biking National Championships held in Bear Creek, Penn., in July. The team is discussing whether or not it can finance sending riders for this race; it may choose a closer regional race instead.

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