Elkton, MD -- Four local high school students participated in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, (NICA) Eastern Regional Competition. An event that celebrates the culture of mountain biking, adventure by bike and competition. Although athletes, coaches and families are welcome to attend, only athletes from the 11 invited leagues are allowed to race, according to the National MTB website.

The competition is held on an over 5,000 acre, Natural Resource Management Area. It is part of the ancient homeland and traditional territory of the Lenapehoking people. Riders experience beautiful pastures, and a practice field used by Olympic equestrians.

Representing the Catskill Claws Mountain Bike Team (CCMTB) were local athletes Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto, Tyler Damms, Grant Brown, and Braedan Clarke. Each lap was 4 miles in length and included approximately 375 feet of elevation gain per lap. 

Tyler Damms, racing in the JV 1 category, completed two of the three laps with a time of 52:32.13. His fastest lap time of 26:42 was on his 2nd lap. He says about the race, “It was challenging, but such a great opportunity to ride with athletes from all over the region.”

 Grant Brown another competitor in the JV 1 category, completed all three laps in 1:07:00.05 and his fastest lap time was recorded at 21:35. Wrapping up the competitors for CCMTB in that category was Braeden Clarke, a senior. Clarke also completed all three laps with a total time of 54:27.81. His fastest lap time was 17:42 in the third lap and he finished in the top 30. After finishing the race he said, “It was great to be back racing at Fair Hill for regionals. The course was really fast with a balance of berms and tech. All the riders brought plenty of stoke and raced hard.”

Sole competitor in the JV 2 category was Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto. Aidan completed two of the three laps with a time of 1:02:34.27 and his fastest lap time was recorded at 29:17. 

“The regional event inMaryland last weekend was a very competitive event that included the best student-athletes out of 11 state leagues on the East Coast.  I’m so proud of their efforts and enthusiasm to compete in such a challenging competition on behalf of our state league,” Keith Stephenson, Catskill Claws Head Coach and Team Director.           

Registration for the Spring 2025 season will be closing November 16. You can find more information on how to register on the Catskill Claws website. The first New York League event will be held next year in April.