Pedaling through freezing cold weather (31 degrees to be exact) while wearing skin tight clothing does not sound like a fun way to spend your weekend. To trek through biting weather, with wind pounding your face, with cold chills rushing up and down your body, you can’t be weak.
These are the exact conditions the Jesuit cycling team had to go through this past weekend at Cedar Hill State Park. The cyclists’ Saturday featured a treacherous 19 mile race and an 11% grade hill climb, a race in which Jesuit performed quite well.
On the 19 mile race, Jesuit had a few top ten finishes including Hugo Scala ’16, who finished 4th, Dalton Waters ’16, who finished 6th, AJ Joglar ’15, who finished 9th, and Evan Bausbacher ’14, who rounded out the top ten, finishing 10th.
Jesuit’s top finisher, Scala ’16 said, “I felt good for the first race of the season. I hoped for a better result, but it was a great team effort.” He further described riding in icy conditions: “It was tough, considering it wasn’t the best racing conditions, but it’s part of the sport.”
Joglar ’15 said, “The cold weather always makes it more difficult to ride because you have to wear a lot of layers and it’s uncomfortable, but we push through.” He continued, saying, “I’m happy about placing top ten; however, I know my teammates and I could have all done better.”
Jesuit also found success in the steeper, 11% inclined race. Zac Bishkin ’15 and Waters ’16 cracked the top five, getting 4th and 5th, respectively. A couple of freshmen got in on the action as Gus Baldwin got 7th and Jake Ingrim got 10th.
Day two featured a road race in the freezing cold, but the Rangers persevered through, having yet another successful race. They were so successful that Scala ’16 nearly won, but instead got second. Scala further explained why he joined the cycling team:
“I ride because I like the challenge that cycling brings. I like the challenge of riding through the pain, and also enjoying the outdoors with great 
people around me. I have been cycling competitively for about a year now, and I have been competing in triathlons since I was a kid.”
A first place finish finally came for the Rangers after a long weekend’s work on the second Sunday race, which featured a race through the mountain bike trail. Improving on his Saturday races, it was Waters ’16 who came out on top in the Scholastic Open.
Jesuit’s next race will be at Texas A&M the weekend of March 1st. There the Rangers will start its road race season. With as much success as it found at Cedar Park, Jesuit is sure to succeed again in College Station, so go out and support your Rangers!
