04/28/2003 Press Release

High School Mountain Bikers Prepare for State Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 28, 2003

Contact: Matt Fritzinger fritz@berkeley.k12.ca.us Tel: (510) 325 6502 www.norcalhighracing.org

Oakland, California -- The third Nor Cal High School Mountain Bike Racing Series has come down to the final event: the state championship race. All the Nor Cal League's teams and individuals will gather in Nevada City on Sunday, May 4th to compete for final series points and state championship medals.

While many teams are in contention for the State Championship, it's going to be hard for any team to knock Redwood High out of first place in the series. The team's domination in the 16 and Under boy's division and a dedicated 18 and Under girl racer has won them four out of five races this season. It's been a surprise to many that a team that didn't exist last year could be so strong. Redwood's girl racer Lauryn Willis credits their success to "motivated and persistent riders" and dedicated coaches that "pushed our team to achieve as much as we possibly can." But the team is not celebrating yet, 16 and Under Allen Hardin says "the whole team is going to try to stay focused and finish high again and hopefully win the race; that would be a great ending to a great season."

An all out battle is brewing for the second and third place team trophies in the series. Four teams are separated by amazingly close margins. Berkeley High currently sits in second place with an uncomfortably narrow lead over Rocklin High, followed closely by Nevada Union and Sir Francis Drake High. Matt Fritzinger, Berkeley High coach and League founder thinks his team is ready and will hold their place in the series. "We've set our goals high -- to win the state championship. We have been training to peak at State, and lately these guys are breaking my legs out on our rides." However, at Sea Otter the amazingly small but inspired Rocklin High Team showed Berkeley High how it's done. "Our team is not very big so it is pretty important that all of us perform well at every race," says Michael Margraf, leader in the 18 and Under division. Nevada Union High, the state champion team the last two years running, might really be the team to watch out for. They've had a lackluster season but have experienced a general upswing and are coming off a strong second place finish at Sea Otter. And the NU team will be defending the title on their home turf this year - a course they helped to build.

In the 16 and Under division, it's a question of which Redwood High rider will take home the state championship jersey, and which one will take home the overall series leader jersey. Rikard Grunnan has come out on top in the series, but both Aaron Varn and Allen Hardin have had some peak days and it's obviously going to be a very close match.

Michael Margraf has been building on his lead over Berkeley High's Alex Weissman when he edged out Alex for First Place at the Sea Otter Classic in the 18 and under race. " I knew it was going to come down to a sprint and sure enough about 100 yards from the finish I attacked and beat Alex by 2 seconds. My plan for state champs -- I want to go out strong. No regrets, I want to finish the series on a good note." But they will both need to watch out for Russ Forthuber from Benicia High who is out of contention for the overall series due to a mishap at Billycross, but has proven a reliable top placer in the division and could take the state title.

Girls of the 18 and Under division have been enjoying a much larger field this year. Jenny Cornelison of Rocklin High has swept the entire series thus far. She may be unbeatable, but younger riders Lauryn Willis of Redwood and Mischa Lobell of Sir Francis Drake High are sure to make her work for the State Championship title. Michelle Gibson has the Expert title about wrapped up. Michelle showed the national scene the growing strength of the Nor Cal riders - she was one of three Nor Cal League riders to win at the Sea Otter Classic.

Barring mechanical mishaps and flat tires, it looks like the battle for first place in the Expert men's division has come down to two riders: Rand Miller from Pleasant Valley High, who just took over the lead after a superb finish at Sea Otter, and in second is Nick Agate of Albany High who has been having an amazing first year as an expert racer. "Since I now sit in the lead of the Jr. X points rankings, I hope to maintain that lead at the State Championship Finals. I hope to hold my peak and I feel that if I can achieve that, I have a chance to win the finals," says Rand. Other riders to look out for are home schooler Paul Thoman and Matt Goeblel of Sir Francis Drake who have both won expert events in this year's series.

The Nor Cal High School Mountain Bike Racing Series was established in 2001 and provides a well defined race season for junior racers throughout Northern California. With the formation of teams at public high schools and the cooperation of local race promoters and sponsors, the League is able to provide the best cross-country junior race series in the United States. For complete results and additional League information, visit www.norcalhighracing.org