Salute to NICA’s 2020 Graduates

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association middle/high school mountain bike season was canceled due to Covid-19. This was a great disappointment to the senior student athletes who trained hard over the winter months to be prepared to race this spring. They are great young riders who each put time into the program. Let’s give this group a proper send off!

NISKAYUNA/MOHAWK MOUNTAIN GOATS

By Andrew Rizzi, Team Director and Coaches

Nick Dunham – Nick was a quiet leader on the team letting his impressive work ethic speak volumes. He trained hard in the preseason to get his fitness ready for the season. Nick was one of our most improved athletes over the course of his NICA career and would have been competing for podiums this year. The coaches will miss his steadiness, knowing we could always count on him to be at the right place doing the right thing. Nick – “NICA was a really great experience. It gave me the opportunity to make a ton of great friendships. It was so much fun to get to ride and race with my friends and teammates. I have joined the Wyoming Army National Guard. I will be attending the University of Wyoming and am participating in their ROTC program. I also hope to join the UW Mountain Bike Club.”

Noah Johnson – Noah joined the team with very little riding experience. He took to the sport very quickly and fully embraced mountain biking. His smile on the trail is infectious and he’s always down for a group ride. Noah’s skills and speed improved dramatically over the past two years and he would have been a dominant varsity rider this year. The coaches will miss his big smile and positive influence on his teammates as he was always in the right mindset to help others. We know we’ll be seeing Noah out on the trails for years to come! Noah – “I’ve been involved in the NICA program for three years this race season would have been my fourth. To sum up my experience, I’ve never met a group of people as caring and genuinely happy to share the very essence of a sport that has made an impact and shaped their lives. This is true for NICA and coaches like Andrew Rizzi, Jason Cairo, Sheray Tario and Bob Frank. They’ve shown me not just how to ride a bike but how to embody the mountain biker lifestyle, be a good person, and share our great sport with the world. Looking back at some of my happiest and most lively memories, these role models and mentors are the architects of my NICA experience, and all the riding that’s fostered great friends and even better times. Next year I’ll be attending the University of Vermont and taking advantage of their riding program.” 

Ethan Rohde – Ethan was new to mountain biking when he first joined the team. He loved the team aspect of the sport and worked hard at his skills every practice. Ethan was the keeper of the “Gong” and brought lots of much needed humor. Ethan learned a lot about nutrition before and after rides and was always in a “race within the race” at each event. The coaches will miss Ethan’s eagerness to take on new challenges and his work as a “glue guy,” bringing his teammates together. Ethan – “I raced with NICA for three years. If I had to sum up my entire experience riding, it would be that it was what enabled me to discover a better version of myself. Next year I will be attending the University at Buffalo to study geological science and I plan on continuing to bike there.”

Austin Smith – Austin joined the program as a freshman and had very little singletrack experience. He quickly fell in love with the sport and grew stronger with each ride. Austin would rarely miss a practice and was always working his hardest during team drills. Over the years his speed increased and this season was certainly going to be his best! The coaches will miss his diligence and his patient, focused efforts at improving his skills. Austin – “I’ve been racing with NICA since ninth grade. Racing is one of the most fun and rewarding challenges I’ve ever had; it helped me become stronger, and grow as a person. I’m really going to miss it next year. This fall I will be starting the manufacturing and machining program at Hudson Valley Community College. I’ve earned a scholarship and a four-year internship with Simmons Machine Tool that I’ll also be starting in the fall.” 

Ian Vernooy – Ian had been racing bikes for a long time when he joined the team. He was a seasoned cyclocross athlete. He was a very strong rider whose singletrack skills grew over time. While his schedule stretched him very thin, he was always a competitor at the races, and helped carry the team to its victories. Ian will most definitely be a lifelong cyclist. The coaches really appreciated Ian’s kindness and graciousness. Ian – “I raced NICA for four years and I’ve really enjoyed my time. It’s been a great place to grow as a cyclist, and I appreciate the very positive and supportive atmosphere. I will be attending Harvey Mudd College next year.” 

Adam Weitz – Adam came to the team with minimal mountain bike experience. Early on he embraced the sport and quickly fell in love with it. He was critical to helping the team grow through his promotion of the school club. The coaches will miss Adam’s expertise at fixing mechanical issues and his eagerness to help at trail days. Adam – “I started racing freshman year. I’m going to be a mechanical engineering major at Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall. I’m disappointed to miss my senior year of NICA racing but I plan to continue riding for fun in college and beyond. My experience with my Niskayuna coaches and teammates will stay with me forever!”

Tyler Zierer – Tyler is one of the most talented riders we’ve ever coached. It did not take long for him to go from the tutee to the tutor. He showed leadership on the team both with his words and his actions. He engages the younger riders and helps them improve their skills. Tyler’s love for the sport outweighed his desire to race, yet he was sure to be competing for the top spot this year. Tyler – “This would be my fifth-year racing NICA, I started racing in eighth grade. Racing mountain bikes has left me with a lifelong passion for the sport and the outdoors in general. It makes me so happy to know that I’ll be riding bikes for years to come. I’m so appreciative for the mountain bike community, which has changed my life for the better. Next year I’ll be attending Binghamton University for mechanical engineering. I don’t think there’s a team there but I’ll definitely bring my bike and I’m sure there are trails around.” 

R-CUBED COMPOSITE TEAM

By Rich Tortorici, Team Director and Coaches

Dylan – Dylan joined R-Cubed NICA in 2019 with a passion for athletics and learning. Many of the conversations he had with the coaches revolved around training, and the best way to optimize his time on the bike. He was also very inquisitive about the dietary needs of an athlete. Given his dedication and exuberance, we’re certain that he’d have shown up ready for the season, and show how passion translates into performance. Dylan will be continuing on to Colorado for his college education and I would imagine some good riding. The way in which his scientific brain works, and the thought that he gives everything, will ensure his success in life. Good luck, we wish him the best! Dylan – “NICA has meant quite a few things for me, but above all else, it’s meant having awesome new experiences that I never would’ve thought I’d have. The idea of doing mountain bike races sounded totally crazy to me, but the atmosphere is super welcoming and positive, and the energy in the team tent before the races go off is impossible to describe. Immediately after my first race, I knew I wanted to race as frequently as I could. From the super fun big team rides, to racing, to riding in new places that I never would’ve gone to otherwise, NICA for me has meant getting to experience awesome new things! Last year’s state championship at Windham Mountain took place partially on a previous World Cup course – seriously, how awesome is that?”

Ryan – Ryan has been with the team for a few years, always a staple of the practices, and riding in the front pack with an energy that was unfettered. He was social and loved to play devil’s advocate in so many ways, if you said up, he said... “why not down.” Speaking of down, while he was never a fan of the hill climbing that cross country often offered, he spoke with excitement about cycling and the great possibility of downhilling someday. Though Ryan only joined for one race, he was always there for the team. He’s already set off on his next adventure with the U.S. Military. We wish Ryan luck and we’ll absolutely miss those messages aimed directly at pushing our buttons; he always made it fun! Ryan – “NICA was my happy place. It provided a space to stretch my wings and grow both physically and mentally. Good times, great people.   

Maxim – Maxim is a BALL of energy that cannot be contained! Think of him as the sun that is always burning at full bore, and was never short of crazy adventures. His smile was contagious and even when he was full out, the grin was ear to ear! Max joined in 2019 and raced his heart out. Being naturally athletic, he was in the mix from the start. There is an energy in Max that we hope burns for years to come. He made it an absolute joy to be around him and always brought up the tempo of any event that he participated in. Without a doubt, Max’s energy will serve him well in his life to come; his story has barely written the first chapter. We’ll miss him bouncing around like Tigger at all times. Maxim – “This team means a family that’s always there and people I can turn to for help. Even though I was only part of it for a year, it means a ton to me and was still amazing.”

Owen – Owen joined a few years back. It has been an absolute pleasure and an honor to watch him grow into the adult he has become. He’s a gentleman and a scholar. Owen has a never give up attitude that’s so obvious when you watch him race. One of the best memories is him flatting during a race, fixing the flat, getting back on the bike, and going FULL TILT to the end. Owen’s never die attitude and drive has become his presence. Anytime he does something, there’s no doubt that it will be his absolute best. Smart, charismatic, polite and open minded... we’ll never worry about how bright his future will be. On or off the bike, Owen has been a pleasure to coach. We will miss that even-keeled demeanor that he possesses, it was like having a movie star around when he was there. Owen – NICA was a great experience surrounded with even better people. It was always uplifting and positive. The team helped make even my worst days great.