This past weekend the O’Dowd Dragons raced at Laguna Seca in Monterey County. The iconic cross country course is highlighted by beautiful vistas and the feared Hurl Hill, one of the steepest climbs on the mountain bike racing calendar.
The JV girls were up first, completing three laps of the grueling course. Charlotte Low ’18 had her best-ever finish, 19th place, followed closely by Elise Cypher ’19 in 24th, and Mia Rahman ’19 who, with an injured knee, finished 27th. Bella Walters ’19 had to sit this one out because of the flu. In the freshman race, Lily O’Hare ’21 continued her rise to the top of the podium, up one spot from the last race to 3rd place on the day.
On the boy’s side, freshman Andrew Fee ’21 improved his position up one spot to place 16th after a brief tangle with another rider at the start line. Sophomore Matthew Justice ’20 continued his string of top ten finishes in 9th. As light rain greeted the varsity men, it was time for five laps and five times up Hurl Hill! O’Dowd’s sole varsity rider Caleb O’Hare ’18 showed no fear. After a mechanical incident put him in last place at the start, Caleb fought his way back to the front of the race and finished just off the podium in 6th place after a thrilling last second dash to the line.
The Dragons finished the day in 6th place out of 22 Division 2 teams – their highest finish ever!
Next up for the Dragons is Race #3, on March 24 at Fort Ord in Monterey.
Caleb O’Hare ’18 climbing Hurl Hill.
Andrew Fee ’21 out on the iconic Laguna Seca course.
Lily O’Hare ’21 on the podium in 3rd place.
Charlotte Low ’18 out on course.