The Brevard High Mountain Biking Team is making its debut this year. Coached by foreign language teacher Charisma Arbogast, the nine-member squad includes one female rider.

They practice in Pisgah Forest every Tuesday and Thursday, and race every other weekend. 

On the weekends when they have a race, they’ll go and check out the track on Saturday, and then race on Sunday. They race against the whole state of North Carolina. 

On the weekends they don’t have a race, they’ll have a longer practice on Saturday. 

Arbogast said the team had an outstanding showing at their race in Tryon on Sunday, March 15, finishing in 11th place.

“Four of our eight racers raced their first NICA race of the season, some of them their first NICA race ever,” she said. 

“Highlights included Charlie Faulkner starting in absolute last seeding position (99th call up) for the JV3 race and then winning the race in his first-ever NICA race, Abigail Donnelly finishing 10th in JV1, and Jack Barlow finishing ninth in varsity.”

BHS won one of two “Stoke Sticks” awarded each race weekend, an award that recognizes the teams with the most spirit, enthusiasm and positive attitude, Arbogast said.

By Dakota Sizemore. Photos provided by Charisma Arbogast