Finley Scott + IICL mental health campaign: How NICA student-athletes are changing the narrative surrounding mental health

by Web AdminLeagues, Student-Athletes, TeamsPosted on Comments are Disabled

Youth sports and physical wellness are clearly connected. But what about mental health? The topic of mental wellness in youth sports is often overlooked, and when it does come up, it can be tough to talk about. Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League student-athlete Finley Scott spent her senior year in 2023 trying to change that narrative…and what started as Finley’s incredible passion project has now evolved into a full-blown, athlete-led initiative that raises awareness and tackles mental health stigma head-on.

A Community That Cares: Broden’s Story

by Web AdminLeagues, Student-Athletes, TeamsPosted on Comments are Disabled

7th grader Broden Ala has always loved mountain biking. He waited years to be old enough to participate in NICA events, training hard in preparation for his moment to line up in the start chute. All that practice paid off: last year, during his first season, he crossed the finish line as the Arizona state champion.

School of Singletrack: The Rise of On-Campus Trails in Charlottesville

by Web AdminLeagues, Partners, Student-Athletes, Teams, Teen Trail CorpsPosted on Comments are Disabled

Eight NICA teams dot the region. An unprecedented four have accessible, well-maintained, on-campus trails. Two of these are public high schools without tuition dollars to support the infrastructure necessary for building mountain bike trails. So how did Charlottesville become the gold standard for school-based trail systems?

Riding Beyond Limits: Cash Taylor’s Journey Racing A Hand-Cycle

by Web AdminRacing, Student-AthletesPosted on Comments are Disabled

Cash Taylor’s journey into the world of mountain biking began with an unforgettable invitation to an Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League race, thanks to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and Valley Adaptive Sports. Born with Spina Bifida, Cash’s life revolves around sports, each one embraced with a unique zest despite the challenges posed by his paralysis.