El Mo moves into third place in Division 2
The El Molino mountain bike team is reaching new heights on the Nor Cal club circuit this season, vaulting into third place in the Division 2 standings after two races.
The Lions have turned in strong efforts in Fort Ord in Monterey on Feb. 25 and most recently at the Central Coast Challenge held at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey on March 11.
Head coach and 1979 alum Mike Warren is back to guide the team for his seventh season, presiding over a renassaince of sorts in the sport’s popularity.
“Every year we’ve gotten bigger and bigger, and this year we’ve got 20 kids, up from 12-14 the last couple of seasons,” Warren said. “We don’t have any superstars but we’ve got a group of really good kids that are having a lot of fun.”
Among the largest roster ever is a group of seven returning veterans, including two juniors and five sophomores. There are no seniors on the team this year.
The returnees include juniors Taj Krieger and Spencer Babcock, along with sophomores Chris Hoener, Grant Feige, Mael Chevrolet and Jack Grassl.
The ace in the hole this year is also the lone female on the team, returning sophomore Neva Titus.
“One of the reasons we’re doing so well is because of Neva,” Warren noted. “She’s the highest point-getter for the team so far and is doing great. Overall, our sophomore class is really strong.”
The Lions are also bolstered by a core of up-and-coming underclassmen, which includes sophomore Michael Janet, and freshmen Quinn Horak, Nathan Schanz, Ian Parsons, Zach Case, Luke Herron-Mocnik, Eli Begley, Jack Conger, Blake Macheras, Marius Smith and Lucas Drenth.
Ride leaders are Seth Friesen, Johnny Ruggeri, Geoff Towle and Chris Correa. The team manager is Kate Aldridge.
El Mo’s success has been no fluke, with a grueling training regimen that features team rides 3-4 days per week, tackling some of the toughest hills in the county.
“Covey Hill is our secret weapon,” Warren confessed. “We also do a lot of rides along Westside Road and on water district roads. On weekends some of the kids ride at Willow Creek and Annadel State Park.”
El Mo will compete in a total of six races this season, concluding with the California State Championships at Five Springs Farm in Petaluma on May 19-20. Next up for the Lions is the Toro Treasure Race at Toro Park in Salinas on March 25.
For more information or to download race results check out the league website at norcalmtb.org.
