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TREASURE First English Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 402 N. 3rd Avenue - Wausau, WI Thursday, August 19: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 20: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 21: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 27: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 28: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wonderful treasures at fantastic prices! Out of respect, protection, and Christian love for ALL our customers and workers, MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
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Erasing Barriers and Bringing Youth to the Benefits of Cycling Note from Silent Sports Editor Bruce Steinberg: Due to high school mountain bike racing programs like the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, NICA, kids are introduced at an early age to the welcoming and diverse group of riders that make up the mountain biking community. Megan Seiler joined the Muskego/ Mukwonago/Mukwonago Composite Team (MMMCT) in southeastern Wisconsin when it had fifteen athletes. Of these athletes, there were only two girls, including Megan. However, this scarce number of female riders didn’t deter Megan’s love for mountain biking. As the years went on and word of the team spread, more girls started to join the team. In 2019, Madeleine Wood joined MMMCT and was welcomed by many female athletes and coaches. This story of an increase in female participation in mountain biking is happening to NICA teams across the nation. Thanks to programs like GRiT, Girls Riding Together, the mountain biking community is becoming even more inclusive. And thank you to Megan and Madeleine, high schoolers who pitched (accepted!) and wrote this outstanding story. NICA, founded in 2009, aims to create mountain biking programs for schools all over the United States. Its mission — to build strong minds, bodies, characters, and communities through cycling. Many have witnessed the
change these programs have empowered in young people. Furthermore, NICA recognized that only 20 percent of its student-athletes were female. To increase this number, GRiT was created to empower female riders by providing a safe environment for both new and seasoned athletes to explore Wisconsin’s beautiful trails with other female riders. At many events, all are welcome, whether racers, coaches, or mountain bike enthusiasts, including moms, sisters, and other family members and friends. A program like GRiT has proven vital to support inclusive and diverse female participation in cycling, to empower the industry leaders of tomorrow, and to change public perception of what a girl should be.
Goals & Achievements
NICA and its GRiT initiative aim to keep everyone connected and included. Sydney Shimko, a member of the Wisconsin’s NICA League management team, said, “We offer the chance for riders across teams and cities to get to know each other and share in their experiences. We also work to promote women in leadership roles across teams, providing female role models for girls and boys.” One of NICA’s coaches, Amberleigh Czech, emphasized how important it is for young
people to have safe, adult mentors to look up to. She also finds that being a female coach provides her with the unique opportunity to show athletes that mountain biking can be enjoyed by any person at any age. Also, NICA and GRiT have opened the door to a community of cyclists that transcends individual teams. “GRiT specifically empowers femaleidentifying riders by bringing them together into the broader group,” Shimko said, “helping them to feel connected even when they may not have a large group of female student-athletes on their team.” Finding “your people” is vital to retaining athletes year after year. For example, before the GRiT initiative began, many teams, including our own, had three or fewer female athletes. However, after a lot of recruitment, team dynamics changed while competition and enthusiasm remained strong. The true nature of inclusivity and community within NICA remained unchanged. Chris Smith, another coach on our team, sees NICA’s virtues shine bright on race day. “I cannot count the number of times I have seen racing incidents,” he said, “when another rider stops to help someone in need, in lieu of keeping their spot in the race.” GRiT shows athletes that there are other girls out there who love riding and adventure as much as they do. Eighth grade athlete Audrey Seaverson said, “I think that GRiT helps unite
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