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Williams High School cyclists compete in season opener

Williams High School mountain bike racers Tori Maebe and Bailee Cameron (bibs 423 and 424) compete in the first race of the season at Ft. Tuthill. Eight riders from Williams raced against hundreds of riders in Race 1 of the 2015 Arizona High School Cycling League Series. Photo/Melissa Cameron

Williams High School mountain bike racers Tori Maebe and Bailee Cameron (bibs 423 and 424) compete in the first race of the season at Ft. Tuthill. Eight riders from Williams raced against hundreds of riders in Race 1 of the 2015 Arizona High School Cycling League Series. Photo/Melissa Cameron

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Williams High School mountain bike team placed 17th out of 40 teams at the season-opening race at Ft. Tuthill in Flagstaff Sept. 12.

According to Coach Brad Richmann, Viking sophomores Tori Maebe and Bailee Cameron placed fourth and tenth respectively among sophomore girls, freshmen Cole Cameron and Nick Wing took 26th and 50th respectively among freshman boys, and Mahala Schmitz took 17th among freshman girls.

"The kids did great," Richmann said, "Maebe did great, and Bailee is so strong and talented. After the first lap her chain fell off but she still managed to take 10th out of almost 30 girls."

In the boys' junior varsity competition, Alex Clarke took 64th and Strider Schmitz came in 73rd. Justin Smiley competed but did not finish because of a crash.

"Strider was absolutely killing it, but he pinch flatted," Richmann said. "Then he managed to get two more flats because he didn't get enough air back in. It was a super rocky course. He still managed to finish though."

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) provides course marshals that are there to help riders. They have tools and bike parts to help kids with mechanical issues on the course. However Richmann said that it is to the kids benefit to be able to handle their own breakdowns. He said if they use a marshal for help, they get five-minutes added to their course time.

Richmann said Smiley took a bad spill during the race after he clipped his handlebars in the first lap of the race. Smiley went over the handlebars and landed on his head and shoulder. He was taken to the hospital for a suspected collarbone fracture, but went home with just bruising and a sling.

"I'm a nervous cat out there," Richmann said. "(When I don't see them right away) I wonder what happened. Where are they? Are they bleeding somewhere? These guys are tough."

Richmann said the course distance varied depending on the skill level of the kids. The course was 5.8 miles, with the freshmen and sophomores doing two laps, the junior varsity doing three laps, and the varsity doing four.

The coaches and NICA officials run the races in stages. The point's leaders are moved to the front of the pack for each stage.

Richmann said the team has improved a lot since last year. He said the Ft. Tuthill course was rocky, but he was impressed with the kids' riding skills.

Richmann is grateful for the support of sponsors. He said although the team is recognized as a club by Williams Unified School District, they don't provide any financial support and the team must raise approximately $4,000 per year to support the team. Although FUJI and Pivot donate mountain bikes to the program, money is still needed for annual NICA fees, race entry fees, and equipment, uniforms, food and transportation costs.

What's next:

Race 2: Prescott's Pioneer Park Sept. 19.

Race 3: McDowell Mountain Regional Park Oct. 11


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