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The Long Island Hurricanes Scholastic Mountain Biking Team Completes The 2015 NICA NY Championship Race

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  17. June 2015

Long Beach, NY - June 16, 2015 - The Long Island Hurricanes Scholastic Mountain Biking Team completed their first season riding in the NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) - NY High School Cycling League.

The teams has won several races this year. They have consistently placed riders in the top 20 in each of the NICA races in both middle school and high school divisions.

This Sunday the Hurricanes wrapped up their first NICA Season at the 2015 NICA NY Championship Race in Purling New York. Almost 200 riders, from 21 teams across NY State competed for the coveted championship trophies.  The High School race was 11.6 miles on a  fast flowing course with a combination of single track, fire roads with steep climbs and rooty and rocky descents.  

Hurricanes Coach Barry Lasow of Elmont, noted, “This spring when we first started with these kids, I was waiting on the trails for them to catch up, now I can not keep up with them. I am so proud of the commitment these riders made and it shows in their riding.” Coach Bryan Symons stated,"this is a first year team and in the beginning many of these riders had limited or no mtb experience and now they are competing with some of the best in the state.”

Team Director, Scott Zelenetz shared, “I was a road cyclist and started mountain biking to spend time with my son, I did not imagine how much fun it would be. NICA is such a great way for all kids to develop a lifelong passion fitness through mountain biking. NICA is so unique to kids sports. Kids learn sportsmanship, and espirit de corps and to be a steward to the environment, while also and building self esteem and self reliance, and they have a great time doing it in a safe controlled environment. NICA format works for all kids whether they have experience riding or not."

Team Parent and volunteer Deb and Stephen Verderame expressed, " This is a great group of kids and families, the team has shared a lot and supported each other in every way. They have become much more than team mates and had a lot of fun doing so. I am so happy my son Stephen has had the opportunity to do this."

Hurricane Chris Trimble of Kings Park, NY placed 11th in a race won by  Alex Zierer of Albany NY and Zach Taber of Syracuse less than a minute back. 

In the Middle School Race, Hurricanes riders Stephen Verderame, Chistian Symons, Benjamin Zelenetz and Chris Thompson placed 16, 17, 21 and 34 in a crowded field of NY states most elite Middle School mountain bike riders.  Madeline ( Maddie ) Powers placed 10th in the Girls Middle School race. 

While many  residents may not be aware of the high quality Mountain Biking Trails on Long Island,  a huge community of Long Island Mountain Bikers exists and Long Island has some incredible mountain biking opportunities right in our backyard. Organizations CLIMB (Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers) that  maintain and create trails here on Long Island. From Cunningham Park in Queens to Hither Hills near Montauk - trail like stillwell woods (Syosset), Bethpage State Park, Edgewood Preserve and Catherdral Pines, Manville, Manetto Hills, Glacier Ridge are incredible places to enjoy the tranquility of nature and exhilaration of mountain biking.

NICA / Long Island Mountain Bike resources 

www.limtb.org

www.climbonline.org

www.newyorkmtb.org

www.nationalmtb.org

www.brandscycle.com

Race Results 

High School Boys 11.6 mil

1.Alexander Zierer - HRRT 1.08:13
2.Zach Taber - Fayetteville-Manlius 1.09:09

3.Luke Tanner - HRRT 1.09.30
4. Alex Brochart - Otsego - 1.10:34
5. Tyler Stupart - Bronxville 1.11:04

High School Boys 11.6 mil
1.Lily Smallidge - John Jay 1.25:38
2.Gabriela Vides-Barry - NY Cranks 1.29:09
3.Allyson Shofield - unaffiliated  1.30.05
4. Brooke Nohlly John Jay - 1.32:34
5. Alexandria Thomas - Fayetteville Manlius 1.33:06

Boy Middle School 5.8 mil
1. Ethan Huggins - Irivington Trail Dogs
2. Jonathan Albaum - Pleasantville Cycling
3. Benjamin Halpern Rivertown Racing
4. Jonathan Grald -Unaffiliated
5. Jack Sendek - John Jay

Girls Middle School 5.8 mil
1. Rory Taylor - R Cubed Racing
2. Paige Rudys - Fayettville Manlius
3. Cameron Brownsey HRRT
4. Caroline Crowell HRRT
5. Michaela Galarza Hudson Valley

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