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Oct 15, 2024

Los Alamos Mountain Bike Team Competes In Oct. 13 Pedal Pajarito Race – Los Alamos Reporter

Los Alamos Mountain Bike team before the Pedal Pajarito race on Sunday. From left Jim Tyldesley, Calvin Grow, Quanah Moseley, Ian McLean, Sebastian Koglin, Jonathan Wehner, Matthew Wehner, Hannah

Los Alamos Mountain Bike team before the Pedal Pajarito race on Sunday. From left Jim Tyldesley, Calvin Grow, Quanah Moseley, Ian McLean, Sebastian Koglin, Jonathan Wehner, Matthew Wehner, Hannah Waldschmidt, and Natalie Crawford. Courtesy photo

Quanah Moseley leaving the field and crossing the finish line. Courtesy photo.

Ian McLean on the second step of the podium on Sunday. Courtesy photoBY PAULA KNEPPERLos Alamos Mountain Bike TeamYouth cyclists pedaled Pajarito ski hill on Sunday, Oct. 13 for the third race of the New Mexico Interscholastic Cycling League (NMICL) season. More than 130 youth athletes from across the state competed on a cross-country mountain bike race hosted on the bike trails at Pajarito Ski Area. Athletes grinded up 500 feet of loose double track jeep trails on each lap and were rewarded with a flowing descent back to the lodge.

The course was a spectator’s dream come true as athletes traversed the beginner slopes several times providing spectacular views on a colorful backdrop of falling leaves. Athletes completed between one to four laps depending on age and ability. The varsity boys’ leader completed a lap in a blistering time of 14 minutes and 18 seconds — the course record for those of you on Strava.

Ten Los Alamos Mountain Bike team athletes competed at Pedal Pajarito on Sunday including Hannah Waldschmidt (11th grade Los Alamos High School), Natalie Crawford (12th grade Los Alamos High School), Quanah Moseley (6th grade Mountain Elementary School), Jonathan Wehner and Leif Wald-Hopkins (7th grade Los Alamos Middle School), Elliot Work (9th grade Los Alamos High School), Sebastian Koglin, Ian McLean, Calvin Grow and Matthew Wehner (10th grade Los Alamos High School).

Quanah Moseley held onto his leader’s jersey for the third race in a row earning another first place finish for the 6th grade boys’ category. Jonathan Wehner finished in 8th place followed by Leif Wald-Hopkins in 12th place for the field of 7th grade boys. Hannah Waldschmidt maintained the leader’s jersey despite finishing in 2nd place in the High School girls one lap race.

During her debut race, Natalie Crawford earned a 5th place finish in JV2 girls, which put her on the podium. Sebastian Koglin earned the third tier of the podium for the JV1 boys’ category. Ian McLean finished in 2nd place, followed by Calvin Grow in 6th place, and Matthew Wehner in 11th place for the JV2 boys’ category. Elliot Work just missed the podium finishing in 6th place in the extremely competitive field of 9th grade boys.Los Alamos Mountain Bike team athletes and coaches spent weeks laboring on the trails and preparing for the home meet. The Los Alamos athletes and coaches were recognized by NMICL for the labor of love with the “Golden Shovel” award.Los Alamos Mountain Bike team athletes and coaches as well as the entire NMICL community expressed their appreciation to Pajarito Ski Area for welcoming the event to our neighborhood.

“The turnout of kids from across the state is fantastic and this is why we are here! I hope that everyone enjoyed a phenomenal weekend,” said Pajarito Ski Area General Manager Jasen Bellomy.

Pajarito Ski Area provided visitors and locals with amazing riding experiences and a pre-race lasagna dinner.

The Los Alamos Mountain Bike team will be traveling Oct. 26-27 to Socorro for the Lasso Loop Line Up and series finale.

Athletes between 6th and 12th grade interested in joining the Los Alamos Mountain Bike team can learn more about the team and NMICL at newmexicomtb.org.

The “Golden Shovel” award presented to Los Alamos Bike team athletes. From left Elliot Work, Ian McLean, Sebastian Koglin, Quanah Moseley, Calvin Grow, Hannah Waldschmidt and Natalie Crawford. Courtesy photo

Jonathan Wehner grinding up the first climb up the beginner hill dropping the field behind him. Courtesy photo

Leif Wald-Hopkins finishing his lap with a Taos athlete on his wheel. Courtesy photo

Start line for the male Varsity, JV and 9th grade racers on Sunday. Courtesy photo

Sebastian Koglin cranking up the first switch back climb. Courtesy photo

Elliot Work is all smiles as he prepares to cross the finish line. Courtesy photo

Natalie Crawford, right, along with fellow first-time mountain bike racers are recognized by the league. Courtesy photo

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