NYSEF participated in the Kelly Brush Foundation Ride on Saturday, September 9. The Kelly Brush Foundation ride helps make ski racing a safer sport and helps groups like NYSEF purchase safety equipment. We were thrilled to have several board members, staff and an athlete hit the road in Middlebury, Vermont.

What makes a youth athlete want to ride 50 miles? NYSEF athlete, Shannon Quiles, a junior at Immaculate Heart Academy (IHA) in Washington Township, New Jersey, and a first-year U-19 Alpine ski racer from Gore Mountain, hopped on her road bike this past weekend. Shannon is a part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) which focuses on mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United Stated. Like NYSEF, both programs enhance youth development through sport. In preparation for mountain biking and ski season, Shannon was eager to get in shape and took advantage of the opportunity to ride (although on road) with the NYSEF team. “I was pleasantly surprised when I heard Shannon wanted to do the KB ride with us especially in the first weeks of school starting” said Gore program director, Rich Burnley.On a training ride, Rich was “was impressed with her level of fitness…riding faster and climbing harder.” As NYSEF knows, a student-athlete is always juggling multiple items from academic responsibilities to their athletic training. Shannon understands the value of training throughout the year to develop skills across athletic disciplines like mountain biking and skiing.
According to Shannon, both sports complement one another, “mountain biking like skiing encourage you to look ahead and be forward…you have more control on the bike and on your skis.” This summer, Shannon, also had the opportunity to go to ski camp in France. At camp, she noticed an improvement in her training and is motivated to take on the 2017-2018 season.


NYSEF is excited to follow Shannon through her season and we are looking forward to riding again next year!


THANK YOU TO THE NYSEF FAMILY WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE RIDE:
Brian Donohue
Dan Quiles
Danielle LaCavalla
Erin O’Grady-Parent
Greg Harden
Heidi Robbins
Herman Weintraub
Jeff Long
Jerry Macner
Jim White
Lorie Harden
Matt Moran
Meg MacClarence
Rich Burnley
Shane MacDowell
Shannon Quiles
Stephen Dempsey
Tom MacClarence