Outstanding participants from high school cycling leagues in northern and southern California, Colorado, Minnesota, Utah and Washington states were honored at the 2012 National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) Awards, at the world headquarters of founding national sponsor Specialized Bicycle Components, in Morgan Hill, CA Saturday, Jan. 12.



The day of celebrations began early Saturday morning when 80 people, including award winners, coaches, friends, NICA staff, and representatives from NICA sponsors Trek, Specialized, Jeep, SRAM, QBP, Clif Bar, GU Sports, and Ft. Lewis College gathered for an 18-mile fundraising mountain bike ride on the trails of Fort Ord, Monterey, CA, with the honored guest, Specialized pro rider Lea Davidson – a U.S. Olympic team member and 6-time national champion.


After the ride, bikes and riders were cleaned, packed-up and transported 40 miles up the road to Morgan Hill for the 5 p.m. awards ceremony, which ended with Lea Davidson talking with NICAs executive director Austin McInerny about a range of mountain biking subjects including her Olympic experience and a non-profit she has set up called Little Bellas, which she said is already feeding riders into the NICA system.


The audience, a gathering of 180, enjoyed libations provided by the Clif Bar & Company Family Winery and Farm and New Belgium Brewing, during the talk.


For many present, this event provided the first real insight to what NICA actually does, as told by the stories of the awards recipients (see list below).


By now, I am not surprised that newcomers to these events report that they are inspired by what they see and hear. What surprises me, is that I continue to be brought to tears by these stories, said Austin McInerny. I have been involved with high school cycling for over a decade now, but the stories of lives changed, feats accomplished, odds overcome… I still get goose bumps even after all these years.


The day concluded on a note of inclusiveness and equality. The NICA Booster Fund took the floor to raise additional revenues used to help disadvantaged families participate in NICA leagues around the USA. The whole awards event, including the mornings bike ride, raised nearly $30,000 for the Booster Fund, which aims to provide the means to participate in NICA activities to student-athletes and coaches who otherwise would have been unable to do so.


The event was hosted by Specialized Bicycle Components.


Specialized believes deeply in the power of cycling, said Specialized Global Advocacy Manager, Simon Dunne. Its why we make our investments in cycling and youth. The bike can change the lives of youth in so many ways-help them concentrate in school, help them relieve stresses and angst, help them manage their weight and fitness, connect them to a social circle, and create lifelong good habits. Of course this applies to people of any age, and thats why were active in the national cycling movement, but high school can be so tumultuous that having cycling as an outlet is especially important.


From the looks on the faces of those present, there was not a single person in that room who did not hold those same beliefs dear.


2012 NICA Awards recipients:


  • Clif Bar and Company Volunteer Service Award: Nick Gualtieri, St. Francis High School, SoCal League. The Volunteer Service Award honors an exceptional volunteer whose dedication of time, expertise and enthusiasm goes above and beyond to make a difference in the organization.
  • Primal Wear Race Production Partner Award: Martha Flynn, Minnesota League. The Race Production Partner Award acknowledges an individual whose outstanding partnership role in race productions is key to the success of a leagues race event production.
  • Quality Bike Products Community Impact Award: Ed Fischer, Camas Composite Mountain Bike Team, Washington League. The Community Impact Award honors an individual whose dedication to high school mountain biking has resulted in positive impacts on youth, the community and the organization. This individual is an outstanding representative of the organization internally and externally.
  • Specialized Student-Athlete Leadership Award: Josie Nordrum, Redwood High School, NorCal League and Zachary Tucker, Lyons High School, Colorado League. The Student Athlete Leadership Award honors student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, academic performance and volunteerism in their team, school and community.
  • Easton Foundations League Founder Award: Lori Harward, Utah League. The League Founders Award recognizes an individual’s commitment, enthusiasm, perseverance, and outstanding contributions in establishing a NICA High School Cycling League.
  • SRAM Coach of The Year Award: Whitney Pogue, Summit Academy High School, Utah League and Ken Mozek, San Ramon Valley High School, NorCal League.  The Coach of the Year Award acknowledges a head coach whose qualities as a leader and motivator embodies NICAs mission to provide student-athletes with the coaching and camaraderie to help them achieve both competitive and non-competitive goals in a safe and enjoyable manner.
  • Trek Student-Athlete All Star Award: Kate Courtney, Branson High School, NorCal League and Lucas Newcomb, Sir Francis Drake High School, NorCal League. The All-Star Student Athlete Award recognizes student-athletes for their outstanding competitive achievements and potential for future success in competitive cycling.
  • NICA Legacy Award: Mike Sinyard, Specialized Bicycles. The NICA Legacy Award honors an individual for their tremendous philanthropic support of NICA and NICA Leagues.
  • Jeep Extraordinary Courage Award. DeShaun Smith, C.K. McClatchy High School, NorCal League and Mark Doty, Oakley High School, Utah League. The Extraordinary Courage Award recognizes student-athletes who have persevered through challenging circumstances and overcome adversity to develop and excel as model student athletes.


About The National Interscholastic Cycling Association
Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops high school mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body, strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike.


NICA exists by virtue of generous sponsors, donors and partners, including the founding national sponsor Specialized Bicycle Components; as well as establishing sponsors Easton Foundations, SRAM, and Trek Bicycles; major sponsors Sho-Air, JEEP, Clif Bar & Company, Clif Bar Foundation, Primal Wear, Quality Bicycle Products, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, CamelBak, Feedback Sports, Ft. Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, and Ritchey Designs; media partners Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Rag, and Cyclingnews.