Posted: Wed, 8 May 2013 06:31 AM - 25,998 Readers

By: Lake Travis View

The Lake Travis mountain bike team won the Texas High School Mountain Bike League’s state championship Sunday at Huntsville State Park.

The team sealed the deal by finishing a stellar four-race season at the top after accumulating more overall rider points than any other competing high school on all levels.

“After finishing every race last year in second place,” Lake Travis coach Michael Smith said. “It was especially gratifying to bring a state championship back to Lake Travis.”

More than 100 student-athletes registered to ride the course, vying for the 2013 title. Although the day featured perfect biking weather with unusually cool temperatures, the “Huntsville Hustle” tested riders’ fitness and technical skills. Roots and loose sand dominated the course, which included 1,098 feet of climb and distances over 22 miles for the varsity boys.

“We are used to training in the Lakeway Canyonlands, which is primarily hilly terrain with varying elevation,” said senior team captain Eric Jeter. “Most of it is hard-packed dirt and rock, while Huntsville is predominantly low, rolling terrain with sandy, loose corners and roots. Our team has advanced technical skills and can give anyone a run for their money when it comes to climbing, but it was a surprise for us riding a course that was flat and loose. We had to work twice as hard to power through the sand.”

Jeter paved the way from start to finish in the season’s first three races with first place wins in the junior varsity circuit. He raced to a second place finish in Huntsville and claimed the state championship title in his division.

“Even though I had my first crash for this season at the championship, it pushed me to work harder to get to the podium,” he said.

Despite its success, Lake Travis faced 2013 with some initial concerns.

“Our inaugural 2012 season resulted in a second place finish for the team,” Smith said. “But after losing our best rider and with the growth of the league, we were ensured that repeating a top-three finish would be difficult. We decided to answer the challenge by focusing on fundamentals. Going back to basics resulted in phenomenal growth for our new and returning riders, and the increased confidence resulted in immediate success on race day.

“Not only did we have both team and individual triumphs at the first race of 2013, the improved and more cohesive team chemistry was evident, as well.”

Even though riders compete against one another in their respective categories, the Lake Travis team supported and challenged each other to do their best. The result was Lake Travis winning the first three races of the season and finishing second in Huntsville.

Katelyn Pervis, a junior and first-year Lake Travis racer, proved a highly competitive cyclist for the group and was quickly bumped to varsity status after her debut in March. In Huntsville, she once again took second place in varsity girls, third place overall, and looks to be a formidable force on the team next spring. Rounding out this year’s team included strong efforts from Danielle Cogburn and Tor Lundstrom, both podium winners, as well as Jeremy Polansky, Samuel Rogers, Ryan ODeens, Eric Parks, James Schoenherr, Christian Estay and John Wacker.

The team is looking for interested riders to join the team for its third competitive year, with more information at ltmtb.org.

“After finishing every race last year in second place. It was especially gratifying to bring a state championship back to Lake Travis.”-Lake Travis mountain bike team coach Michael Smith

*  Story Contributed by: Lake Travis View