Thursday, September 12, 2024
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, and Sumer A. Beatty, associate director of marketing communications
The "rock garden" provides a challenge for young cyclists competing in a statewide event hosted by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center.
A win-win weekend it was when 647 young cyclists, their families and fans rolled onto Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center for a state competition hosted by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League Sept. 7-8. After tackling miles of challenging, mountainside terrain, the youngsters rode off with memories, medals and Penn College swag.
“We were very appreciative of the opportunity to host this at Penn College’s Earth Science Center,” said Joe A. Tavani, a coach with the local Lycoming Composite Mountain Biking team and an instructor of automotive, Honda PACT at the college. “This experience was a win-win for the league and for the college.”
To prepare for the statewide PICL event that attracted 64 teams, Tavani and fellow Lycoming Composite coach Jeremy Rusczyk, a 2008 Penn College civil engineering technology graduate, mapped out the competition course and built 3.8 miles of new trails with assistance from other coaches, team members and their parents. Their efforts were successful, with PICL riders commenting on the technicality, vista view, rock garden and elevation gain.
The gathering was the first time a PICL competition had been held north of Pennsylvania’s Interstate 80, so the Penn College event site was a great source of pride for the local team. Typically, the local team travels to venues farther south in the state or in northern Maryland, so Tavani said: “It was nice to sleep at home!”
To host a competition, parking is the biggest challenge in finding a venue, according to the coach and automotive instructor.
The Penn College Wildcat (on right) celebrates with five of the 40 winners from eight races. The Earth Science Center pond can be seen in the background.
The PICL cyclists, in grades 6-12, competed in eight races. Middle school student-athletes raced on Saturday, and the high school student-athletes competed on Sunday. The middle school racers completed between 4 to 6 miles with 250 feet of climbing per 2.1-mile laps. The high school course was 4 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain per lap (with cyclists completing two to four laps).
With five medals awarded for each race, there were a total of 40 podium spots. The Penn College Wildcat was on hand (and paw) to congratulate Sunday’s winners.
Other college staff welcoming and cheering on the visitors were: President Michael J. Reed; Chuck D. Crews Jr., assistant director for secondary partnerships; Sumer A. Beatty, associate director of marketing communications; and Carlos Ramos, director of strategic marketing. In addition to T-shirts, they distributed Penn College stickers and information and fielded numerous college-related questions from the engaged audience.
Located about 10 miles south of Penn College’s main campus in Williamsport, the Earth Science Center is home to 400-plus acres and the college’s forestry, horticulture, diesel, power generation and heavy equipment majors.
The next PICL state event is set for Sept. 14-15 at Granite Hill Camping Resort near Gettysburg. The league, which is divided into Eastern, Central and Western conferences, also holds conference competitions.
Lycoming Composite has been involved with PICL since 2016. The league is a part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.
Among the Penn College branding on site was this banner at the finish line.
A cyclist shows off the college's "Stay Wild" T-shirt giveaway.
As his coworker 'Cat looks on, Crews hands over a shirt at the Penn College booth.
Lycoming Composite team coaches Rusczyk (far left) and Tavani (far right) enjoy the event with a few of their crew. Rusczyk, a Penn College alumnus, and Tavani, a college automotive instructor, volunteered a great deal of time to achieve the statewide PICL event.
Riders take their spots in the staging zone before they are released in waves.
And ... they're off!
A cyclist navigates tough terrain.
Blue skies greet competitors.
Fresh dirt and scenic views
The fun, festival atmosphere includes many spirited fans.
Penn College President Michael J. Reed (on right) enjoys a photo op with the Wildcat and Carl Fisher, a coach for Lycoming Composite and owner of Williamsport's popular Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co.
Back on the trail
Powering through
The "rock garden" grows grit.
That glorious finish line
Celebrating as they reach the end
The college's Earth Science Center offers an expansive venue for the event.
Almost there!
It's medal time.
Competitors and spectators line the bank across from the pond eagerly awaiting the high school award ceremony.
President Reed addresses the crowd, welcoming the visitors to the picturesque location and "Pennsylvania's best-kept secret" (Penn College).
Fist bumps from the Wildcat
The Lycoming Composite Mountain Biking team cheers on one of its winners ...
... who enjoys his place in the podium spotlight.
The Penn College mascot sports a sweet PICL jacket.
Another Lycoming Composite cyclist enjoys his victorious moment at the top.
A well-deserved rest at the beautiful Earth Science Center pond
A successful day promoting Penn College! Two more guests show off their new shirts, and three college staffers (behind the table) join the photo (from left): Ramos, Crews and Beatty, who said, "It was huge exposure for the college. We spoke with lots of parents who were interested in Penn College for their kids."
The Wildcat is always a winner!
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