Home

Denver Academy Launches New Middle and High School Mountain Biking Program

Denver Academy is pleased to introduce the sport of Mountain Biking for DA middle and high school students in the 2018-19 school year.
 
The DA High School Mountain Biking Team will compete for the first time this fall in the Colorado High School League. The team, comprised of students in grades 9 through 12, will participate in a total of four races from August 25 through October 22. DA has partnered with Campus Cycles, who is offering a discount to the high school team on Trek gear at their store. DA High School Mountain Biking is also sponsored by Heim Dental and individual donors.
 
DA’s Middle School Mountain Biking Program will be a club offered throughout the school year to students in grades 7 and 8. Find out more about DA’s clubs on the Denver Academy website. DA is honored to be one of 37 schools selected nationally to receive a 2018 Riding for Focus program grant from The Specialized Foundation for middle school mountain biking. The program integrates biking into the physical education curriculum with the intention of introducing students to cycling's positive effects on academic performance, health, and well-being. The grant supports the implementation of the middle school program at DA by providing the Riding for Focus curriculum, a fleet of Specialized bikes, a starter maintenance kit and helmets. It also covers a training session with The Specialized Foundation staff to help integrate the sport into DA’s athletic program.
 
Mountain Biking at DA will be led by Coach Ben Ollett, an Olympic champion coach with more than 15 years of cycling coaching experience. He has coached athletes who have won a total of 25 US National Championships at the Pro, U23, and Masters levels. Coach Ollett was awarded the Order of Ikkos Medal by the US Olympic Committee for coaching Georgia Gould to an Olympic Bronze Medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games. He recently coached Howard Grotts to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
 
“Bikes are great in so many ways - they are simple, human-powered machines that represent something different for everyone: recreation, transportation, freedom, and fun. Riding bikes/cycling is great for physical and mental health, and there is strong research that shows it enhances brain function,” said Coach Ollett. “I'm excited to bring a cycling program to DA and to offer another individual sport alternative in our PE and Athletics programs.”
Back
4400 E. Iliff Ave. Denver CO, 80222
Main/Attendance: 303.777.5870
Admissions: 303.777.5161
General: info@denveracademy.org
Denver Academy is a private school for students with varied learning profiles in grades 2-12, located in Denver, CO. DA inspires and empowers diverse learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education.