Riverwood Mountain Biking Team Places In 1st Season

From Riverwood International: Student mountain bike enthusiasts at Riverwood International Charter School launched the new Raider Mountain Bike team fall semester 2018. With 16 registered riders participating in the inaugural season, the club looks to add more when the pre-season begins in April 2019. The Raiders practice their bike skills on the Sope Creek Trail in the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area during the week, and at various bike trails throughout the state on the weekends. For the 2018 season, the Raiders traveled to races at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Allatoona Creek in Acworth, Bartram Trail in Milledgeville, and Heritage Park in Watkinsville. Shane Davis is the faculty sponsor.

In its first year as an official school club, the Raider Mountain Bike team placed in the top 10 overall for the 2018 Peach State Championships in the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League. The Raiders won sixth place out of 21 teams in their division. Senior riders Jack Buehner, Nathan Eads, Ethan Hunt, and Sterling Shepard received special recognition at the final race at the Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson. The Dauset Trails competition drew more than 850 middle and high school student athletes, representing over 50 teams. Congratulations to Raider season leaders Ethan Hunt, who tied for 7th place for varsity boys, Logan Hunt, who placed 6th for sophomore boys, and Chloe Gruensfelder who placed 9th for sophomore girls. Congratulations also to Nathan Eads for winning the NICA Spirit Award for his work and dedication establishing the Raider Mountain Bike Club.

Said rider Logan Hunt, “The Riverwood Mountain Bike Team is a great place to hang out with friends and ride your bike. All of the coaches are great people and are willing to help your learn to how to ride to the best of your ability.” Added sophomore rider Piero Maddaleni, “With this team, we get to travel around the state to try out different trails at practices and races. Mountain biking is a great way to stay in shape and see amazing scenery along the way.” The Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League offers student-athletes a five event mountain bike race series for riders interested in the competitive aspect of cycling each September through November. The league expects to see more than 1,200 student-athletes, 650 coaches, and 65 teams from across Georgia during the 2019 season.

Image via Riverwood Intl