Los Alamos Middle School and High School NICA athletes and coaches on Sunday celebrating a successful day of racing while sporting the Golden Shovel trophy. Courtesy photo.
Phoebe Reid on the top tier of the podium sporting the race leader’s jersey on Sunday. Courtesy photo.
BY PAULA KNEPPER
Nearly 200 student athletes representing 18 teams from across New Mexico and Texas gathered at Pajarito Mountain on Sunday for the Pedal Pajarito race, the third stop in the 2025 New Mexico Interscholastic Cycling League (NM NICA) season. Under a crisp blue sky and surrounded by golden aspens, the Los Alamos NICA team delivered a powerhouse performance on their home trails, earning podium finishes, team points, four coveted race leaders’ jerseys, and the league’s Golden Shovel award for completing the most trail service hours in New Mexico.
The Los Alamos girls led the charge with confident climbs and fearless descents on the steep, technical mountain course. Phoebe Reid captured first place in the JV1 Girls race, continuing her impressive season and claiming the leader’s jersey. Her steady strength and calm determination in the final stretch solidified her place among the league’s top riders. In the 1-Lap Middle School Girls race, Nora Tucker also earned first place and a leader’s jersey, riding with poise and confidence as she conquered the fast, high-altitude course during her mountain bike racing debut. Her victory capped off a commanding performance by the Los Alamos girls, whose skill and camaraderie continue to inspire teammates and competitors alike.
The boys followed with their own series of standout rides. Sebastian Koglin represented Los Alamos in the Varsity Boys race, powering through four demanding laps to finish among the top competitors in the state. In JV1 Boys, Ian McLean and Calvin Grow each earned top ten finishes, combining strong climbs with steady pacing to add valuable points to the team total. Zachary Bolin-Ryan and Elliot Work turned in solid rides in JV2 Boys, while the JV3 Boys group was led by Cullen McLean, who finished in fourth place, followed by Hans Gardner in fifth, and closely trailed by teammates Matthew Wehner, William Nettleton, and Nathan Rondinone.
Cullen McLean in 4th place and Hans Gardner in 5th place on the podium for JV3 boys. Courtesy photo.
Los Alamos Middle School Boys, from left, Paul Work, Matthew Martinez, Elijah Dinkel, Tristan Olsen, Jonathan Wehner, and Brecken Hanson. Courtesy photo.
Los Alamos’s middle school racers kept the momentum rolling. Quanah Moseley dominated the 7th Grade Boys division, taking first place and maintaining his position as race leader with a commanding performance. Teammates Evan Guerrero, Tristan Olsen, and Brecken Hanson also finished strong, keeping the Hilltoppers well represented near the top of the field. In the 6th Grade Boys race, Paul Work claimed the top spot on the podium and a leader’s jersey, while Matthew Martinez followed with an excellent ride of his own.
In the 8th Grade Boys race, Jonathan Wehner earned a podium finish and Elijah Dinkel placed in the top ten, rounding out a strong day across all divisions. Their rides reflected the team’s trademark balance of competitiveness and support which is a hallmark of the NICA spirit that values character as much as results.