By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

The Corner Canyon High School mountain biking team placed second at the Utah State Championships in St. George Oct. 23-24 behind 10 top-10 individual finishes. Nine points separated the Chargers from Lone Peak who came in first in one of the closest state races ever, according to CCHS head coach Whitney Pogue. 

Pogue said the team dealt with flat tires, broken chains and other challenges during the two-day event. “We had strong showings from so many riders and these kids showed such grit and determination all the way to the finish,” she said, also noting that the course was the longest and most demanding they have ever faced. “Our riders fought all the way to the end. It truly is an amazing accomplishment for these kiddos.”

Corner Canyon riders who reached the podium at the championships were Skye Meyers (fifth, varsity girls), Maci Waldron (ninth, varsity girls), Tessa Lidell (fourth, JV A Girls), Daisy Miller (10th, JV A Girls), Phillip Petersen (third, JV C Boys), Harrison Reading (second, Freshman A Boys), Parker Andersen (fourth, Freshman A Boys), Matt Dorny (second, Freshman B Boys) and Eric Jorgensen (fourth, Freshman B Boys).

“We are so grateful that we even got a season and, as a coaching staff, we are so proud of our kids and their determination and hard work,” Pogue said.

The Chargers won the East Regional behind individual champions Ethan Lassiter (Varsity Boys), Mya Graham (Varsity Girls), Joe Hansen (JV A Boys), Petersen (JV C Boys), Andersen (Freshman A Boys), Emma Hamblin (Freshman Girls) and Dorny (Freshman B Boys). 

Out of the 200-member squad, 157 riders qualified for the state event. This accomplishment came despite only being able to workout individually since early in the year because of the concern over the spread of the coronavirus. 

“We tried coming up with creative ways to get them out there, mainly scavenger hunts around the canyon to create big rides and prizes for completing them,” Pogue said. “These kids have had to dig deep and be motivated, which makes me even more proud.”