Taos Composite Middle School Race Results: Pajarito
The Taos Composite middle school team raced the 3rd event of the season at Pajarito on October 5th. At altitude. this course is probably the most challenging one of the 4 race series with some stout uphill, technical spots, and loose, tight turns on the descent. 13 Taos racers and their families made the trip and coaches Valery Henderson and Tommy Peters were there to support everyone on pre-ride, warm ups, and during the race. Taos always has a great showing of enthusiastic parents and siblings to help encourage everyone. This race was generously sponsored by our pals, Syd and Macky! After the pre-ride and team meeting, some glow in the dark bocci ball kept the energy high in the camping area. Our riders have a distinct advantage on this course since we train in the mountains at elevation regularly. Many of our riders were able to capitalize on this and turned in some great results. Overall, the team showed so much strength, spirit, and skill on the course.
Soren Julinski made it to this race, his first of the season and his first race as in the high school JV 3 category, completing 2 laps of a longer course and finishing 21st. Case Cook and Troy Edmiston continue to ride strong, trying to find ways to show their great technical and descending skills. They finished 6th and 7th, respectively in the 3-lap 8th grade A boys race. Elliot Conn and Augustus Blankenhorn-Johnston raced the 2-lap 7th grade course with Elliot showing his abilities, finishing on the podium in 5th with a significant negative split on the second lap. Augustus is a first-year team member and settled in, finishing the challenging course in 17th in the largest middle school group. In the 2-lap 6th grade boys race, Bridger Smith and Elijah Blankenhorn-Johnston finished 6th and 7th with especially strong first lap times. With more experience, these riders will certainly be moving up.
Larka Schultz had a fantastic race, pulling away from her competition after the first lap and dominating the 3-lap 8th grade girls A race. Kalia Velarde led her race from start to finish, regaining her Leaders Jersey with a decisive win, showing her fitness and skills. June Thornton had a rough start with nerves getting the best of her but she kicked it into gear and had an incredible second lap (with her 2nd lap time equaling Kalia’s) to finish 3td place with a big negative split. Amaya Dean rode super well and consistently (6th). Lila Delany overcame some challenges and crashes and pulled off a positive race (7th). Olivia Seim raced with confidence and good focus and finished 9th. Nearly every one of the Taos girls were able to race multiple laps while keeping their times very consistent, showing both fitness and experience.
The middle school has their final race of the 4 race NMICL (New Mexico Interscholastic Cycling League) series at Oak Flats on October 26.
