The varsity mountain biking team earned a bit of local history, capturing the first-ever league championship race at South Kent on Nov. 6.

The Bearcats put riders on the podium in all four categories, with Charlie McLean ’22, Alex Takoudes ’20, and Chris Tolis ’21 finishing third, fourth, and fifth in the A class, good enough to secure the overall win for Hotchkiss.

Hotchkiss riders Jonathan Peng, John Nicholson, and Andrew Adams also swept the first three places in the B class. The team also earned second-place finishes from Jamil Pandey ’23 in the C class and Emily Hellqvist ’23 among all female riders.

Wrote head coach Mike Fitzgerald: “This has been an extraordinary season for the Hotchkiss mountain bikers.  Riders saw dramatic improvements in their skills, fitness, confidence on the bike.  In addition to racing, they committed themselves to training on campus trail rides, skills park sessions, Mt. Riga climbs, and off campus trail adventures.”

Fitzgerald also noted with optimism that the roster has nearly doubled to 14 riders this year, and that Takoudes is the lone senior on the team.

Takoudes earned kudos for his contributions as captain to the team’s successful season, which saw it earn four first-place finishes and two second-place finishes.

“Alex has been a model of strong leadership and excellence on and off the bike.  Beyond his skills on the bike, Alex serves as a mentor, trail guide, and technique coach for our team,” said Fitzgerald.