Race #4, the South Conference Finale, led the Vultures to Moore Park in Klamath Falls. After some surprise iffy smoke conditions earlier in the week, riders were greeted to warm temps and clean air for practice and race day. The trails in Moore Park wind through high desert landscapes and forests, and the smell of the plants and trails has a distinct East Side feel.
Riders reported that this was their favorite course across the board. And it showed in the results! This was our best team performance, and many riders left it all out there in style.
With conference titles on the line, there were plenty of storylines. Porter Younkin held the wheel of Deschutes rider Jasper Stevens for 40 minutes, and came up 1 second behind to land a 2nd place in the series. He wasn’t alone on the podium as our 6th grade boys took 3rd, 4th, and 5th in that category as well. What a race for all the marbles! Dylan Kuhl finished a perfect season, cruising to the 8th grade boys south title. After winning the first two races and losing race #3, Jade Savage needed a victory to claim the 8th grade girls title. She did in commanding force with a 6 minute victory. Ossie Dunn, winner of 3 tight races in a row, finally put some distance into the Eugene crew and finished his perfect season in Sophomore boys. Jade Rhode once again put it all together to hold off hard charging Will Fogerty from Deschutes Comp. to win Varsity Boys.
Besides podiums, many riders had their best efforts of the season. Isa Culver put it all together for a solid 3rd place in freshman girls. There were some uncharacteristic spills from our riders, but Claudia Stadtmeuller, Owen Kuhl, and Teagan Filoon overcame their crashes to reach the podium. Casey Mcenroe and Grant Heeter rode strong to a 7th place in their respective fields. Colin Havens, new to the team this year, put together his best effort of the season. And Tyler Rogers completed his bonus lap by making the cutoff on a hard course to make it two in a row for him. The icing on the cake was Tyler Rogers winning the league award for Most Supportive Teammate. Congrats Tyler!
Focus now turns to the State Championship race October 30th in Madras!
South Conference Champions/1st place podiums
- Dylan Kuhl, 8th Grade Boys
- Jade Savage, 8th Grade Girls
- Ossie Dunn, Sophomore Boys
- Jade Rhode, Varsity Boys
Additional Podiums
- Porter Younkin, 2nd place 6th grade boys
- Rye Rilling, 3rd place 6th grade boys
- Niko Keto, 4th place 6th grade boys
- Teo Galicia, 5th place 6th grade boys
- Anika Stadtmeuller, 4th place 6th grade girls
- Claudia Stadtmeuller, 3rd place 8th grade girls
- Isa Culver, 3rd place Freshman girls
- Teagan Filoon, 5th place Freshman girls
- Owen Kuhl, 3rd place JV boys
League Award
- Most Supportive Teammate – Tyler Rogers
