Kasza-James barely edged for title

It came down to the final race of the season to determine the title between eighth-grade mountain bikers Emma Kasza-James of Ozaukee County Composite Kendra Schmitt of Washington County.

The finish met the hype for the two racers tied at two wins apiece heading into the state title race at the farm trail at the Trek Factory in Waterloo. Blizzard-like conditions and hail created the best traction of the season on the 5.5-mile course that had 400 feet of climbing per lap.

“Emma started out a little slower but picked up steam as the race went on,” coach Anthony James said.

At one point, Kasza-James was off her bike and running up a hill to keep moving, with Schmitt on her tail.

“They would go back and forth the entire race up to the last climb. Kendra was able to make jump passed three girls to get to the last descent first and Emma was only able to get past two of the three,” James said.

“Kendra won the race and the championship but Emma said she felt good and was quite happy with second. Without having someone to battle every race, it would not be as fun. And both the girls finish on a high note for the season.”

More than 700 racers participated in the state championships, and the Ozaukee County Composite team had its highest number of racers for the season — eight.

In the division 2 freshman boys race, all four of Ozaukee Composite’s riders started in the second wave due to not having enough points.

“That did not stop them from going out and having fun on a course that changed 100% for the better from when they rode it on Saturday in the snow and hail,” James said.

Sam Strohl, in his third race on his new bike, finished in 1 hour, 11 minutes, 20.6 seconds in the 2-lap race, good for 36th of 53 racers.

“Sam put in a solid effort for his first race since the opener,” James said.

Mitchell Teunissen ditched his click-in shoes for the rocky ride and finished in 1:13:30.7, for 40th place.

Tristan Sohr was positive and smiling throughout the race and came in with a 1:15:49.8, good for 46th, James said.

Ronan Monahan in his third race rode hard to finish in 1:19:01.8 for 50th.

In the freshman girls’ race, Erin Hong started in the back and had fun in placing 13th of 21 racers.

In the seventh-grade girls’ race, Reese Kasza-James watched the other bikers who had been close to her in other contests.

“She stayed with most and passed some all race long.  In the end, Reese came down the last descent looking strong and being aggressive,” James said.

Of 33 runners, she finished in 10th place with a 39:00.7.

In the middle school boys’ race, Kaden Kopp’s impressive previous race earned a starting position in the second row of the first wave.

“That gave him great position for starting and he put it to good use. He rode hard, was smiling and having fun while putting in yet another stellar effort,” James said.

Kopp finished in 35:39, good for 12th of 73 boys.