Utah schools see cycling league as positive step for better fitness

The JV Boys Division 1 race starts during the UHSCL Races at Soldier Hollow Sept. 6, 2014 in Heber, UT. (Photo Credit / Steve C. Wilson)

<p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>The Utah High School Cycling League kicked off its third season this month. The kickoff for the season included the debut of the Junior Development race, which took place at Soldier Hollow. The league is</span> <a style=”text-decoration: none;” href=”http://goo.gl/EKkszS” target=”_blank”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>one of the most quickly growing and largest groups</span></a> <span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>within the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.</span></p><p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>”This year, we’re piloting a Junior Development program to introduce middle school students to mountain biking, with an emphasis on skills, fun and fitness,” said <a href=”http://www.utahmtb.org/” target=”_blank”>Utah High School Cycling League</a> Executive Director, Lori Harwood, in an interview with</span> <span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Deseret News</span><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>. The league has almost doubled in size from its 2012 to 2013 season. There are now approximately 850 student athletes on 51 teams, as well as 179 students involved with the Junior Development program.</span></p><p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>”Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our student athletes, volunteers and donors, it’s going to be a phenomenal season of racing, camaraderie and fun,” said Harwood.</span></p><p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>The league’s next race takes place <a href=”http://www.utahmtb.org/wp-content/uploads/Nordic-Valley2.pdf” target=”_blank”>Saturday, September 20 in Eden</a>.</span></p><p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Like many states, Utah is constantly looking for ways to get students further involved in fitness, along with healthy eating. While about</span> <a style=”text-decoration: none;” href=”http://goo.gl/99u1CV” target=”_blank”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>82% of schools have a gym, and 79% have a weight room</span></a><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>, not all students feel drawn to the more traditional gym activities, which is why options like biking can be useful.</span></p><p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 11% of Utah’s high school students qualify as overweight, while 6.5% qualify as obese. While these numbers are fairly positive, the numbers quickly skyrocket in adulthood; 57% of adults are overweight, and 23% are obese. Schools hope to start young adults on a positive pathway for fitness that will follow them later in life.</span></p><p style=”line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;” dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Similarly, the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2012, which went into effect the same year, required schools nationwide to meet specific nutritional guidelines. Utah state officials have since adopted fun ways to get kids interested in healthy food, such as setting up “stir fry” stations with healthy vegetables.</span></p>

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