Mountain Bikers Gear Up for Thrilling State Championship Showdown

Another successful weekend unfolded for the Sedona School Mountain Bike Club and the Mingus Mountain Bike Club, showcasing the talent of young riders at the fourth race of the Arizona Cycling Association series.

Held at McDowell Mountain Park, the race marked the series finale, drawing approximately 1,200 competitors. For many, this event was pivotal, serving as a qualifying opportunity for the upcoming state championship showdown between the north and south conferences.

The weekend began with cooler temperatures and light rain on Saturday, which set the stage for favorable trail conditions by Sunday. Middle school racers kicked off the event, with eighth-grader Cormac Kincheloe impressively securing second place, improving from a fifth-place finish in the previous race. His peers also made their mark: Kasin Burke finished 17th, while Miles Kinney placed 28th in the eighth-grade boys’ division. Sixth-grader Jaxson Campbell followed suit, taking 14th, up from 10th place in race three.

High school competition heated up next, with freshman Greyson Stevens finishing sixth, having over come a flat tire during the race. This performance comes on the heels of his first-place victory in the prior race. Fellow freshman Braxton Jochim-Malapanes secured fifth, slightly down from his fourth-place result in race three.

Quincy Mabery made strides in the Junior Varsity 1 category, climbing to eighth place after previously finishing ninth. Logan Jankowski maintained his consistent performance, holding on to sixth place from the last race. In Junior Varsity 2, Danae Dearden marked her season debut with a respectable 15th-place finish among the girls. Notably, River Valdez capped off his final season with a remarkable first-place varsity win.

While several team members—including Kinsley Sanders, Bodhi Hayman, and Vincent Pugliano—were absent from this race, their contributions throughout the season have been invaluable, as acknowledged by the club.

With the state championship scheduled for November 2-3 at Fort Huachuca outside Sierra Vista, the Sedona team is intensifying its training efforts, focusing on fostering strong bodies, minds, and character in preparation for the competition.

Eric Mace serves as the head coach of the Sedona Red Rock High School Mountain Bike Club.