MSHSL MTB Championship?

[SickBoy]

I've tossed this idea around in several circles. How much convincing would it take to get the Minnesota State High School league to hold a single day XC championship race/meet?

I know of several high schools (including the one I attended) that had mountain bike/cycling clubs. I know not every high school can have a club/team but it shouldn't preclude them from holding a one-day championship race. Any rider could be elligible to enter so long as s/he can prove they are a student at a Minnesota high school.

I am the promoter for a time trial race at Lebanon and I would definitely volunteer my time and efforts to help get a high school championship race organized.

As far as format, I think a Sport-level race would be appropriate. Maybe there could be 2 divisions: a 7th, 8th, and 9th grade division that would race a beginner-length race and a 10th, 11th, 12th grade division that would race a sport-length race. That way middle schoolers could be included as well.

There are middle and high school state MTB meets in other states such as Colorado. I think this would be a great way to get more juniors into bicycle racing and would pay dividends at regular races. I am sure some shops would donate money for land permits and awards and I would bet one of the ski areas could be convinced to rent out their land at a reduced rate, as this would be a non-profit event, I am sure.

This could even branch out to include like a road and/or crit championship depending on interest, I suppose.

MNJRC, do you hear this? :)

--andy

[KleinCrazy]

Andy,

I really like your Idea! I coached in Chaska for 1 year and Know that something like a 1 day event would go well.

Organizing and sponsorship would be the big hurdles.

Rick McFarrin work alot with youth mountain biking and might have some insights also.

I was very impressed with the Lebanon race this year and know that NCMBP would be willing to provide medical support for the race. They do it for the Princton XC races every year.

If you are really serious about persuing this you and can come up with some ideas on how MORC/NCMBP/Trips for Kids/ Etc could be of help, you might want to work something out and make a presentation at one of our Board Meetings.

Site Selection would be a big deal. Buck might be willing but would cost. Afton also might be willing but cost. Free places are kinda limited. Battle creek has the system but isn't real open to races recently. Lebanon and Murphy are also options. and possible Theo depending on how that all goes next year.

Keep us posted.

James

[SickBoy]

I don't think I'm really the person to take the reins on this idea, as much as I would love to. Maybe someone involved with YCL (yes, I know, YCL is just a -bit- younger than the target age here)or juniors coaching....

I know that there are a lot of kids who have potential interest in cycling and I think that maybe a race where there aren't any adult racers (just kids) might be a little less intimidating. Being on the XC ski team at Eden Prairie and helping out with them for a bit last winter, I know there are high school kids that mountain bike as offseason training and I bet anything a lot of them would appreciate an opportunity to come out and compete, even if only for a day.

The committment level for doing just a one-day state MTB meet is pretty low, too. Effort wouldn't be much more than what's required for a normal race, I would think. In fact I would bet since it probably wouldn't draw more than a hundred to 200 kids I think the effort would be significantly less.

One other idea would be to have the meet a little more centrally located... maybe Milaca or somewhere in the St. Cloud area? That wouldn't be too far for the Twin Cities kids and would let some of the out-of-state'rs participate as well (since you gotta figure that most of these kids would be getting rides from their parents)

--andy

[bgavic]

you know im down kruse...even though i live in wisconsin, im willing to help out if you can get something organized.......if any one wants to talk to mnjrc just go to the website and email someone from there...mnjrc.com or if anyone is interested in joining.

[fsrslug]

I remember when I was in high school and I did not know what Mountain biking was. Then one of my friends (Andy's Brother) told me that his brother(andy) did mountain biking and got him into it, which then got me into it.

We were talking back then how cool it would be to have a school team.

I will help out if need on this event. Just let me know what to do and when to do it.

[SickBoy]

I really would like to see this idea take off but I think that I'm most likely not the person to do it....

[SickBoy]

Supposedly the BLAST guys are working on some sort of High school race series for the fall. Maybe one of them could give us an update and maybe how we could help out.

[DLaan]

I am a sophmore in high school and am starting a mountain bike club at my school this year. It should have about 10 kids who would all definately race a high school mountain bike championships. I would be willing to try to help set up this race if any one has any idea who could be the promoter.

[DLaan]

I am a sophmore in high school and am starting a mountain bike club at my school this year. It should have about 10 kids who would all definately race a high school mountain bike championships. I would be willing to try to help set up this race if any one has any idea who could be the promoter.

[SickBoy]

http://www.velonews.com/race/mtn/articles/3863.0.html


I don't know why we couldn't have something similar in MN. Maybe not a series but a one day championship, for sure.

[s1ngletracker]

I would also be willing to help. I am the guy that got FSRslug into it :)

We would probably have to contact MSHSL to clear it with them as soon as we get some more details worked out. I dont know, but I am guessing most of the schools that will attend with be from the cities, so might as well have it nearby.

[SickBoy]

I've taken the liberty of firing off an email to Ann Yonamine who is (I believe) a member-at-large or something of the like on the MSHSL board. Since I'm an EP grad and she's an EP School Board member as well I think I might have had an audience there. Basically I just asked for more information on how to get the MSHSL to put their stamp of approval on an event like that and I gave her a link to Velonews coverage of a similar event in California.

This was last week at some point and I haven't heard back yet. May need to take a more widespread initiative to get some answers.

I don't know that I have the time and/or resources to take the point on this by myself, I just want to get some more information for those of us who might like to be involved.

[s1ngletracker]

What did she say?

[nigel]

Hey Andy,

Any word on this High School racing yet? Id be willing to help out as a coach, repair tech/teacher, and buying guide if need be. Lemme know how i can assist you in this endevour.

Douglas

[SickBoy]

I tried pinging a few people but never got a response.

At this point I am a little too wrapped up with organizing the Leb Hills event and racing (myself) so I don't think I can really take this on...

[nigel]

Thats too bad :( but anytime you need help gimmie a shout!

D

I tried pinging a few people but never got a response.

At this point I am a little too wrapped up with organizing the Leb Hills event and racing (myself) so I don't think I can really take this on...