Senior Statements

Curious what students’ experiences have been with the league? Read below on what some of our seniors have to say.

Jacob Randle, South Coast Composite

I was lucky enough to already be riding buddies with many of the coaches, and the idea of having a composite team from the south coast piqued everyone's interest.

The vibe from the Oregon League is just plain rad! The enthusiasm from the participants, family members, and coaches is awesome. Everyone is stoked about being able to share the love of cycling and it shows! I think that the Oregon League is really for anyone interested in biking, or even someone with a love for the outdoors. The League is accommodating to all individuals.

The best advice I can give to new student-athletes or people interested in joining a team is just to get involved. There are many kids I know that want to join but are afraid to, which I understand, mountain biking can be intimidating! But I assure you that if you get involved with a team, they will make you feel at home and do everything they can to help you improve on two wheels.

There are so many good memories it's so difficult to choose just one! With that being said, I think that my best memory would have to be the growth that my friends and I have undergone from our Freshman to Senior year, not only as bike riders but just as people too. The first mountain bike race that any of us participated in was Newport 2019. Much harder than any anticipated but still managed to get two of the Lumberjack jerseys on the podium. Fast forward three years, at the 2021 Bachelor race and all three of our JV racers made it to the podium and we won the overall. It was amazing to see the progression from all the racers and plaid on the top step for the team.

I think the part that I will miss the most is the coaches and the athletes, they make all the practices and the events so special. All of our coaches genuinely care for the students and they do much to make sure that we are performing to the best of our abilities.

Sophie Jacqmotte-Parks, Portland Metro Composite

Wow, what a ride! It seems like only yesterday I was at the Lumberyard with my family, discussing how fun it would be to join this ‘Oregon League’ thing that was starting up that fall. But, after five years of riding alongside Emily, Izzy and our wonderful teammates and competitors, it feels bittersweet to graduate.

I have one story that I believe encapsulates the culture of the Oregon League really well. It was during my freshman year at the ski bowl race, a tough course, with one long climb every lap. I realized on the second lap that I kept ending up near one sophomore rider on the climb, who I learned was named Josie. We rode together for the rest of the three-lap race, and kept each other going when the drizzly weather and burning legs made me want to stop. I won my race that day, and beat Josie, only for the same thing to happen the next race, but she beat me instead. We rode close by for the rest of the season. We weren’t from the same team or even in the same grade, but the fact of being racers in a league where none of that matters too much meant we could meet and become friends.

I’ve loved my years in the league, but it isn’t my moments on the podium that I remember the best, it's the muddy moments on the course with a community that cheers for everyone. It's the random Lake Oswego kid cheering at the top of the climb at Newport, or the Gorge Composite riders that let me steal their snacks. So, to the riders- work hard, make the most of it, but live for the experiences - not the placings. To the coaches, volunteers and organizers - thank you for making the Oregon League a wonderful place to grow up. 

Paige Bedsaul, Lake Oswego Composite

I joined the NICA league after it being recommended to me by multiple friends who were previously a part of it. I thought it would be a great way to extend my racing experiences and continue training for my enduro season. 

As I have watched the league grow over the past couple of years, it has been so inspiring to watch other athletes do their most to help everyone feel included, whether it was their tenth or first year racing. The coaches always put a big emphasis on how important it is to cheer on the racers on and off the course. Something I really appreciated about NICA was that no matter who you are, what team you’re on or skill level you have, people are always out there encouraging you. Whether you’re first place or last place, people throughout the league are cheering for you through the finish line, and congratulating you afterwords. 

What I’ll miss most about the league is the closness of all the athletes and coaches, and how it felt like a family. I liked to say that when I was at practices or events that it felt like I was hanging out with my 30 younger cousins. Watching some of my younger teammates improve as not only athletes, but humans as well, was the greatest joy the league brought me. 

Ryan Meiners, Camas Composite Panthers

I first got into the league when my parents told me about it. My mom and dad were on a walk and they saw the Camas team riding on the trails. They went to the bike store and asked who they were.

Everybody in the league is competitive but also very nice and supportive. Mountain bikers as a whole are always kind to others on the trail.

The league is really meant for the youth who want a team community. The Panthers acted like a family when we were together. I will miss my teammates the most. I was the only senior on the team this year but that didn’t stop me from making lots of great friends.

My advice for new student-athletes would be to not worry so much about race placement and focus more on just grinding with your team.