SPASH mountain bike team pedals to season-best second-place finish

By John Jaeger
Special for the Metro Wire

STEVENS POINT – The Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) mountain bike team powered its way to a second-place finish last weekend in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League, marking its strongest performance of the season.

The race drew more than 1,100 athletes from more than 90 teams across the state. SPASH, which placed third in its first two outings, climbed a spot on the podium with grit and determination. Varsity rider Liam Kurylak helped pace the team with a fifth-place individual finish.

“It’s inspiring to work with this dedicated group of student-athletes,” said head coach Jeff Dahlseng. “They bring a joyful work ethic to every practice, and their efforts are definitely showing up at the races. They push themselves to compete with the other riders, but also really support one another. It’s a great culture of competition and fun.”

The team has two races left in the season and is gaining momentum after finishing second overall in the league last year. Riders will look to keep that pace when they line up Oct. 5 in Rhinelander.

SPASH competes with its partner squad, Central Wisconsin Composite (CWC). Together, the programs include more than 70 riders who compete in a five-race fall schedule at venues across the state.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League, part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), promotes youth development, sportsmanship, and lifelong participation in cycling.