Interbike 2011: Utah Expected to be Heavy Hitter in High School Cycling League

LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Utah is the newest state to join the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) with more than 31 high schools ready to participate in the race series launching in fall 2012.

Ben Capron, development director of NICA, announced Sept. 14 at the Interbike cycling trade show that Utah already has 65 coaches who will be heading up high-school-aged student athletes across the state, primarily on the Wasatch front in the eastern part of the state.

With all of the world-class riding in Utah, “we know the deck is stacked,” Capron said. “It’s going to be big.”

Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association is the National Governing Body for grades nine through 12, interscholastic mountain biking and fosters the development of competitive cross-country mountain biking programming for high-school-aged athletes.

Although the number of student racers in Utah is not known, there is broad support for the high school league. Capron noted that one school district has even received town funding for its program. Another coach already has 65 students signed up. “Everything is coming together in an absolutely phenomenal way,” Capron said.

Lori Harward has been named executive director of the Utah league. She has set the race dates and venues for the 2012 season, with the first competition taking place Sept. 8 at Soldier Hollow, the location of the 2002 Olympic cross-country ski and biathlon races near Salt Lake City. Some teams will begin training in spring, while others begin with the onset of the fall 2012 school semester, according to Harward.

“We are super thrilled.… Everything we do is about the kids and developing lifelong cyclists,” she said, adding that her goal is to share her passion for cycling with young people.   

The Utah state league brings NICA closer to its target of coast-to-coast high school mountain biking by 2020. In 2012, NICA will have seven regional leagues, including 2,000 student athletes engaged in competitive cross-country mountain biking.

“It’s about being inclusive. Nobody gets benched,” Capron said. Participants in the program say their grades also improve and 95 percent indicate they will ride the rest of their lives as a result of participating in a league. Additional surveys from NICA participants showed that 84 percent of student athletes reported increased understanding and respect for other trail users, and 73 percent reported increased awareness and respect for the environment.

“We’re strengthening body, mind and character through mountain biking. We’re changing lives,” Capron said.

National Interscholastic Cycling Association Programs

NorCal — 12th season; 600+ riders; 40+ teams

SoCal — 4th season; 300+ riders; 25+ teams

Colorado — 2nd season; 300+ riders; 20+ teams

Washington — 2nd season; 150+ riders; 20+ teams

Texas — racing spring 2012

Minnesota — racing fall 2012

Utah — racing fall 2012