Sports

Stillwater Area High School Forms Mountain Biking Team

The Ponies will be the 29th team to participate in the Minnesota High School Cycling League.

The Ponies will be the 29th team to participate in the Minnesota High School Cycling League.

The team was started by a group of local cycling enthusiasts led by Calvin Jones—who brings his experience working for cycling teams at both the World Championship and Olympic levels—and co-head coaches Joel Nichols and Annie Perkins.

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“The mission of the program is to provide girls and boys the opportunity to participate in both competitive and non-competitive mountain biking events during the Fall season,” Co-head coach Joel Nichols said in a statement. “Participants will learn mountain biking skills, develop teamwork and gain confidence, while engaging in an activity that provides for a lifetime of fun and fitness.”

The Minnesota High School Cycling League race schedule starts on Sept. 8 at Salem Hills in Inver Grove Heights and concludes with the season Championship on Oct. 20 in Mankato.

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An orientation meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Stillwater Area High School for interested students and parents/guardians. For more information contact Joel Nichols at 651-470-0733, or email the team’s coaches at stillwatermtb@gmail.com.

Students will start workouts at the beginning of the school year under the leadership of Coach Nichols and other experienced volunteer coaches.

“It is great to see enthusiasts form together to give Pony student athletes an opportunity to participate in an emerging sport such as Mountain Biking,” SAHS Athletics Director Ricky Michel said.

The Mountain Biking Team will operate in cooperation with the SAHS Athletics Department.


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