National Interscholastic Cycling Association

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is an American non-profit organization that promotes high school mountain biking programs in the United States. NICA provides governance, leadership, and program support to regional high school mountain biking organizations.[1] NICA's mission "develops high school mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States".[2]

National Interscholastic Cycling Association
SportCycling
CategoryHigh School Mountain Biking
JurisdictionNational
AbbreviationNICA
Founded2009 (2009)
Regional affiliationUnited States
HeadquartersBerkeley, California
PresidentSteve Matous
ChairpersonSusan Helm-Murtagh
Vice president(s)Lauren Haughey, Kristine Urrutia, Amanda Carey
Official website
www.nationalmtb.org

History

Foundation (1998-2008)

In 1998, Matt Fritzinger wanted to start a road biking team at Berkeley High School. On his first practice, 4 kids showed up but they were all riding mountain bikes. Because of this, Matt decided that they would become a mountain bike team, becoming the first High School Mountain Bike team in the country.[3] In 2001, Matt would create the first league, Norcal, who hosted the first high school mountain biking races. Some of the early schools to join include, Casa Grande High School (2001), Nevada Union High School (2001), Salinas High School (2001), and Drake High School (2002). In 2003, Matt Fritzinger stopped coaching the Berkeley team to focus on building the NorCal League, letting the future executive director of NICA, Austin Mclnerny, take over.[3] Over the next 6 years, the Norcal league would continue to grow, eventually leading to the creation of the Second League, SoCal. With the increasing size of the league, it was decided that a management organization of the leagues must be established.

Explanation (2009-2016)

The formation of NICA was announced in 2009 by Matt Fritzinger, modeling after the successful regional executions of NorCal and SoCal.[4]

Leagues

There are 31 league across the United States, in 30 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California (NorCal & SoCal), Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Races

Most NICA leagues have 4 to 5 races per season in either fall or spring depending on local climate. The results of the top eight riders in each team are combined into the team's full score. In some states, teams are split into divisions; division 1 and division 2 based on the size of the school, with larger teams in division 1. For division two teams, only the top four racers’ points are counted. There must be at least one girl and one boy for each 4 racers. The scores are cumulative between races and the top teams move forwards into the championships.

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References
  1. NICA Makes Mountain Biking The Newest High School Sport, Katie Arnold, Outside Magazine (blog), Oct.18, 2012.
  2. Fast Times at Singletrack High, Michael Roberts, Outside Magazine (print and online editions), Sep.12, 2013.
  3. "bhs-mtb". bhs-mtb. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  4. High school MTB racing goes national in US, Sue George, Cyclingnews.com | Sept 30, 2009
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