The warm weather is here and summer is in full swing which also means you’ll be seeing plenty of mountain bikers hitting the trails. In particular, you might see the Weber High Mountain Biking team or the Junior Devo team honing in on their technical biking skills as they practice for the upcoming races.
This year Weber High welcomes new coach, John Gill. He will assist Jody Harris, who has been coaching the last 4 years with the 9th-12th graders. Gill tells us that, “I used to race cars and was an instructor at Miller Motor Sport Park. A lifestyle change brought me to cycling which I’ve been doing for 6 years and I love it!”
Because the Weber High team is carried out strictly through volunteers, it is actually considered a “club.” Coaches and parents have stepped up to fill the needs. Even though Gill does not have a son or daughter on the team, he was still passionate about mentoring the youth. “Riding with high school kids is always awesome because they are so excited to be there, no matter what.”
Coaches Joel Rackham and Julie Zeigler are volunteering their time with the Junior Devo team which consists of 7th -8th graders. Zeigler and her husband, Mark, moved from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Pleasant View 7 years ago. She says, “I’m honored to be part of such a great group of kids participating in a sport that is growing exponentially. I hope that by joining Weber Devo, as a coach, the girls will be encouraged to come try the team.”
All skill levels are allowed and everyone can compete regardless of ability with the WHS Mountain Biking team. One of the greatest things about this sport is that it can be enjoyed early on and grow with you. Biking can include entire families spending time together on the trails or one-on-one with friends. Seth Johnson, an incoming freshman with the high school team, loves to get out on the trails with his Dad, Mike. His favorite places to go are the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and the Snow Basin area.
Jenn Kendrick is also one of the valuable volunteers who help serve in countless ways. Kendrick tells us that, “Initially, the mountain biking team began as a composite team between Freemont and Weber because of the lack of riders. Jody Harris was the first coach to set up the team—finding sponsors and volunteers to help. Later, due to so much participation, Weber and Freemont divided into their own teams.”
Every year the coaches work hard to train the young riders with skills they can adapt throughout their lives. For example, they teach: cornering, braking, trail safety, passing safely, and the basics of mountain biking as well as endurance and gaining confidence.
Nick Henley, a junior this fall at Weber High, loves being outdoors in nature and finding fun, new trails to ride. One thing Henley is excited about is, “Making new friends, racing and having new experiences.”
Branson Butterfield, a soon-to-be 9th grader, tells us why he joined the team. “I have always loved nature and riding my bike. One of my favorite things last year was the Corner Canyon race.”
Practices are held weekly and sometimes twice a week for the Weber High and Junior Devo club members.
If you know someone coming into 7th-8th grades this fall, who might be interested in riding with the Junior Devo team, please contact Andrea Patterson at brexcraw@gmail.com
If you know someone coming in 9th-12th grades, please contact Jenn Kendrick at bylbee@gmail.com or message her on Facebook. Also you may check out the NICA website at: utahmtb.org. You can then send an invitation to the Pit zone which registers the student on the team. You are then eligible to practice and race. Girls are especially encouraged to join as the numbers are low but are slowly gaining.
Powder Mountain will be an exciting new venue for one of the races this year so come out and support your favorite mountain biker on the trails this season with the Weber High team!
