Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. A dedicated group of students and families at the Nederland Middle Senior High School travel across the state to compete in mountain bike races. In the fall, they travel several weekends to towns as far away as Durango, Eagle, Steamboat Springs, Frisco and Granby.

In 2019, the team was made up of senior Oliver Vernon and freshmen Violet Rainwater, Hayden Camp and Ezekiel Fitzer. Team coach is Ben Janszen and team manager is Normandie Rainwater. 

This Nederland team is part of the Colorado High School Cycling League. This non-profit organization hosts a mountain bike series and provides training and education to teams and coaches. 

It is open to all high school students regardless of skill level. Their goal is to build strong minds, bodies and character. It is cycling in a fun, safe and professional way. For more information go to https://coloradomtb.org/

Oliver Vernon finished the year as a legacy rider. This means that he raced through all four years in high school. In the first four races this season, Ezekiel Fitzer moved up 35 positions, a fantastic feat. Hayden Camp and Violet Rainwater are ranked 14th in their divisions and will move on to the State Championships in Durango on October 19, 2019.

Congratulations to these athletes on their hard work and commitment to the sport of mountain biking. 

(Originally published in the October 17, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)