Despite its smaller size and the fact it has no senior students Don Ross Secondary was able to outshine high schools from around the province last weekend in Whistler, securing the mountain biking provincial title for the fifth time in six years.
Peter Lang heads the team and said the group's accomplishment was exceptional considering the relatively smaller population at Don Ross.
"The B.C. High School Championships at Whistler was an excellent day of racing for Don Ross. Our 38 riders did very well on Saturday, including Ali MacKellar, who is now the provincial champion for grade 8 girls, and Zac Gartside, who is now the provincial champion for juvenile boys," said Lang. "Overall it was a great day for our little school and all the kids who rode so well to win the aggregate trophy."
To secure the top spot Don Ross Secondary beat out 31 other teams, including Howe Sound Secondary, which finished fifth. The team won with 1,213 points followed by Chatelech Secondary from the Sunshine Coast, with 732 points and Argyle Secondary from North Vancouver, with 605 points.
Zac's victory over the juvenile boys gave the team an advantage in the competitive 58-rider field. New to the sport, his decision to race came by chance.
"I didn't even know I was going to race this year, I did a practice ride with the team one Friday and then I decided to try it," he said. "Before I was not really into cross country and I was mostly into downhill but now I like cross country too."
To get ready for the race Zac, 14, and teammate Jacob Melville, who finished fifth in the same event, rode the entire Test of Metal course the weekend before the event.
"I won because I am fit and I try hard," said Zac. "I was really nervous but it feels good to win."
Lang said the entire event in Whistler's Spruce Grove Park was a success.
"It was a beautiful venue surrounded by mountains and forest. The trails offered an excellent variety of terrain and the race was well organized by the Whistler hosts."
