CHS mountain biking team begins season

Lucy Pearl Moore, Managing Editor

Cookeville High School boasts a multitude of well known sports such as football and basketball. However, our school also offers less traditional, but equally entertaining sports.

The mountain biking team, coached by biology teacher Tony Stone, competes with other groups from all over the state. Along with Mr. Stone, art teacher Robin Carlile and her husband Eric Carlile also coach. Up to 500 students from sixth to twelfth grade compete. Freshman Elias Thomen placed fourth in his division, winning a flower pot made of bike chains.

The members of the team include sixth graders Jacob Crabtree and Mack Swann; eighth grader Linda Ford; freshmen Elias Thomen and Tommy Jacobs; sophomores Clare Curtis and Avi Sharma; junior AJ Hardin; and senior Phillip Harrison.

The race season spans from August to October. Students who wish to participate can inquire with Mr. Stone and sign up. Students do not need any experience with mountain biking, and they do not need to know how to ride a bike. Each competition has a men and womens’ division, which compete separately. In addition, different grades bike different distances. In competitions, freshman go four miles, sophomores go eight miles, and juniors and seniors go twelve miles. Although there are no specific events, each student has skills that they focus on. While some students excel in hill-climbing, some try to be the fastest.

When asked what his favorite part of the team is, junior AJ Hardin said, “Riding bikes is exciting.”

In response to the same question, Thomen said, “I like the fact I get to move around after school.”

The team has grown close through their shared interest. While most of the members did not know each other before joining, they now regularly spend time together outside of school. At each event, they have a tent for CHS students to sit and watch. Their schedule will soon be available on their website. The team encourages students to come out and support them.