The Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League (MICL) held its Season 6 Finals in the Pickall Area of the Patapsco Valley State Park November 4-5th. The Garrett County Composite Team competed against 24 other Maryland mountain biking teams, pitting over 500 student athletes at the event. The race course was on the Schools Out Loop trail, which was created with the MICL racers in mind. The course was 4 miles of mostly singletrack trail with barely 250’ of climb per lap. The first half of the course was full of flow, but several tricky off-camber downhill turns, challenged every rider to keep their bikes from washing out on the dirt surface. The middle of the course followed a powerline climb which allowed many riders a safer passing zone. After a fast 1/2 mile climb, the racers darted back into the singletrack trail that had the bikers feeling like they were on a smooth roller coaster weaving through the autumn woods. The back section of the course was overlooking the Patapsco River and challenged riders with rocky sections and log crossings, then one more hill climb to the finish line.
As a team, the Coyotes finished 12th at Pickall and 9th in the 2023 overall MICL series. Individually, 3 Coyotes raced their way to the podium. Aspen Smith took 2nd place in the Girls Middle School Grade 7 Division. Her two lap race time was 46 minutes and 26 seconds. Senior Ellie Hudnall finished her high mountain biking career by pedaling to a 5th place on the podium in the High School Girls 2 Division. Her time was 57 minutes and 43 seconds. Allison Thrush also claimed a 5th spot finish in the High School Girls 3 Division with a time of 53 minutes and 6 seconds.
In the High School Girls 1 Division, Iris Dubanski finished with an impressive 7th place time of 51 minutes and 36 seconds, while Ashlynn Anderson overcame mechanical problems and a flat tire to complete the race in 65 minutes and 5 seconds for a 12th place finish. Kara Opfer finished her first ever High School Girls Division 3 race in 16th, with a time of 66 minutes and 51 seconds. In the Middle School Girls Grade 7 Division, Mary Thrush finished with a time of 55 minutes and 29 seconds for a 7th place finish, while Ezra Alls completed her two laps with a time of 61 minutes and 53 seconds which put her in 9th place. In the Middle School Girl 8 Division, Ava Anderson took 7th place with a time of 55 minutes and 18 seconds, while Tessa Dubansky finished in 16th place.
On the boys side, Senior Nathan Aldridge finished in 10th place, battling complications to complete four laps in just over 70 minutes in the Varsity Division. He finished his impressive high school MICL career in 6th place in the Boys Varsity overall points series. Junior Jackson Hordubay finished in 10th place in the High School Boys 1 Division, with a time of 56 minutes and 12 seconds for three laps. In the High School Boys 3 Division, Cooper Haley finished in 13th place with a time of 46 minutes and 4 seconds, Andrew SanJulian finished in 16th place with a time of 46 minutes and 35 seconds, and Henry Faulkner finished in 17 place with a time of 46 minutes and 42 seconds. Rounding out the boys was Cam Hudnall who placed 6th in the Middle School Boys grade 8 Division, completing his two laps in 42 minutes and 16 seconds.
The Coyote coaches are so proud of the team and all their accomplishments throughout the season,
Ellie Hudnall of the Garrett Coyotes competing in her final race as a high school senior. Hudnall placed 5th in the Girls JV2 Division.Special thanks to the coaching staff and parents of the Coyotes for their countless volunteer hours over the season.
Special Thanks to these local businesses that have sponsored the Coyotes. Garrett Trails, High Mountain Sports, Brenda’s Pizzeria, Vagabond, Tiny Corner Bike Shop, Brian Boal and Assoc. CPA, Sport Tech / Giro, Bill’s Marine, CTAC, Mountain Maryland Maintenance, Mountain Top Claim Services, Clear Mountain Bank
