NATHROP, Colo.— The San Luis Valley Rattlers High School Mountain Bike Team kicked off their third season last weekend at the Chalk Creek Stampede in Nathrop, Colo. Seven riders from various schools in the Valley raced under the shadows of Mount Princeton on a glorious, warm late summer day.
Landon Tolsma started the day in the JV Boys 18-mile race with a time of 1:54. Sebastian Steffens followed in the 12-mile Sophmore Boys race with a time of 1:13. Marian Kidd began the afternoon’s races with a time of 1:37 in the 12-mile JV girls race, followed by Sydney Crowder, 12-mile Sophomore Girls race with a time of 1:26. Three Rattlers began their racing careers in the Freshmen Boys 12-mile race: Cairn Pike, 1:12, Kaden Tolsma 1:27 and River Randolph 1:30.
The team is composed of the following riders: Chase McGee, Monte Vista senior; Obed Perez, Center senior; Christian Ronquillo, Center senior; Marian Kidd, Sargent junior; Cameron Roberts, home-schooled junior; Landon Tolsma, Monte Vista junior; Sydney Crowder, home-schooled sophomore; Sebastian Steffens, Del Norte sophomore, Cairn Pike, Moffat freshman; Kaden Tolsma, Monte Vista freshman and River Randolph, Del Norte freshman. Coaches for the Rattlers include Brian Stevenson, team director; Larry Roberts, head coach; Kathy Daley, Mark Skinner and Paul Steward, assistant coaches.
The Rattler’s second race is Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Cloud City Challenge in Leadville. Junior Cameron Roberts returns to the action in his first varsity boys’ race after recovering from a broken collarbone. He finished last season in 20th place as a JV racer at the Durango State Championship races.
Proceeds from the 12 Hours of Penitence Mountain Bike Race held on Sept. 14 support Youth on Bikes including the Rattlers Team.
The Colorado High School Mountain Bike League provides racing venues under the auspices of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). The Colorado League races provide student-athletes an arena in which to set and accomplish competitive goals, to achieve their personal best. The fall race series consists of four conference races and a state championship race. Professional race promotion, timing, course preparation, and risk management guarantee every participating student-athlete is given a fun and fast environment to compete.