High school riders roll into state championships

Eyes on the podium

Two months of training and racing comes to fruition for the Alpine Orthopaedics Crested Butte Cycling Team as they head to Castle Rock for the high school mountain bike state championships on Sunday, October 30.
The team closed out the regular season of racing two weeks ago at the Peaceful Valley Invitational, and while some riders dropped a couple of places from the previous race, others continue to make their way up the rankings.
Varsity riders Ian Kelly and Josh Gallen were on the downside of their results, dropping a couple of spots to finish fifth and sixth place, respectively.
Head coach Torrey Carroll believes some of that may have been due to the type of course at Peaceful Valley.
“It was a rolling course, a road biker’s course,” explains Carroll. “Riding around here, our kids are stronger with more sustained climbing.”
Tristan Kraatz thrived on the Peaceful Valley race course as he rolled his way to a 19th-place finish in the sophomore age class, cracking the top 20 for the first time.
Emerson Wohlers continues his ascent into the upper ranks among freshmen riders.
After placing 14th in the first race and in 11th place in the second race of the season, Wohlers broke into the top 10 in Peaceful Valley to finish ninth.
Freshmen Derek Schomler, Oz Scott and Colton Schnaitter rounded out the crew, taking 12th, 13th and 19th, respectively.
The seven riders have now set their sights on the grand finale, the state championships.
Results aside, Carroll has seen the team as a whole take huge strides on their bikes in both the technical and speed aspects of riding.
“They’re definitely riding a lot stronger and riding harder trails now,” says Carroll. “We’re able to go out now with the whole team and do harder rides and a lot more climbing.”
Carroll has set goals for the team across the board including a top-five finish, or better, from his two varsity racers.
“The seven riders are there and are motivated,” says Carroll.