Shepard & The Haynes Train shine at MTB Race #2
The mountain bike team has learned that during a typical 4-race fall series we get all 4 seasons represented in all 4 races. But 2019 includes 5 races, so the team got a 2nd taste of summer again with incredibly hot, dry and dusty conditions at Chickasaw Trace trails in Columbia. We had some great performances and all riders finished the race, which for this one was not a given because the heat and dusty corner crashes took out lots of riders.
Eleanor Shepard once again was our lone podium star for the day, taking 3rd in the Freshman girls contest, posting a super-fast overall girls 1st lap time of 22:38 for an overall time of 46:35. Even with a crash and recovery, her 2-lap time would have placed Eleanor 4th had she raced in the JV category, 2nd in the Sophomores, and likely 4th in the Varsity girls, a sign of solid gains over the past month. Freshman Jaimie List raced crash-free and posted a solid sub 1-hour time finishing 6th in 58:09.
Back
Junior Alexander Haynes raced our fastest team lap time of the day (21:09) and finished 23rd in 1:05:12 during a demanding and crowded 3-lap JV boys contest. Senior Raleigh Parr had a 21:26 first lap and finished 28th, just half a minute behind Haynes. Cameron Stenhouse and Yoshi D’Souza finished 40th and 47th, both covering 3 laps in 70 and 75 minutes. These HS boys had quite a bit of traffic jams to navigate with a field of almost 70 riders.
8th grader Christopher Haynes zoomed to 3rd position in the starting line sprint to the woods, only to snag a tree soon after and lose 20 positions as other riders passed him. Nursing a banged-up right pinky finger that didn’t allow him to fully hold on to the bars (or brake), he passed many over 2 laps and finished 12th of 58 in 44:26 and also posting our only “negative split” of the day (his 2nd lap was faster than the first, and both were fast!). However, we learned that X-rays don’t lie and the younger Haynes discovered that the pinky in question suffered a fracture, leaving him in a cast and likely missing our next 2 races. The Haynes Train is a fast one, and we look forward to having the younger Haynes back out with us soon.
Junior Katya Mendez had a great single lap in her 2nd-ever race, once again gaining valuable team points for us. Mendez along with Shepard, List and Alexander Haynes posted our team points for this race for a 12th place team finish out of 26 teams, and moving us into 11th place out of 28 teams for our season totals.
Other highlights included Sophomore Isaac Gorden racing at 2pm in the worst heat of the day for 2 laps, posting a great 23:09 first lap and finishing 39th of 55. Maya Guha and Ella Cheek both had strong laps in the 8th grade girls race (31 and 39 minute laps) and our 7th graders Tate Green and Leo Frein posted solid 22:28 and 24:12 lap times for 15th and 24th places to both be in the top half of the big 7th grade field.
Full results posted here: https://my4.raceresult.com/136941/
We next travel to Memphis on October 6th, where we’ll fuel up on BBQ and tackle the flat and open course at Shelby Farms Park, and as is the dream with all the other “fall” sports teams, we better have some true autumn conditions by then.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
Ava ’26 recognized by National Council of Teachers of English
Congratulations to the rising senior, who has been selected for a 2025 Achievement Award in Writing by the National Council of Teachers of English.Read More -
Retired faculty, staff return to USN
As part of a longstanding tradition, retired teachers and professionals from USN over the years came together to celebrate, connect, and reminisce during their annual luncheon in Durnan Auditorium.Read More -
Athletes beyond Edgehill
Read MoreIt is common to have five or more University School of Nashville student-athletes sign college athletic commitment letters each year, and this year, USN saw eight more student-athletes commit to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. USN has several alumni participating in their chosen sport at the collegiate level from the Classes of 2021 through 2025. Continue reading to learn more about where Tigers are competing beyond Edgehill.
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.