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Development Team

The West End Ski & Trail Development Team is the first development team for middle & high school aged cyclists in the Upper Peninsula. This is as close to riding for a professional team as it gets - our racers receive cycling training plans, strength training & in-person sessions, athletic therapy & injury prevention, and nutrition plans, along with shop discounts and access to awesome partnerships with other brands. 


Ella Clement

Grade: 10th 

Favorite local race: Marji Gesick 

Favorite local trail: Upper Zeug's

Best post-race meal or snack: Cheez-its

Hobbies outside of biking: archery, snowboarding, weightlifting

Proudest moment: Crusher 100 EX

Fun fact: state champ archer

Ella Falk

Grade: 9th

Favorite local race: Trek Waterloo

Favorite local trail: Greywalls

Best post-race meal or snack: Twizzlers

Hobbies outside of biking: Cooking, singing, piano, downhill skiing

Proudest moment: Crusher 40MS finish

Fun fact: cooks her parents dinner

Joey Giroux

Grade: 11th

Favorite race: Marji Gesick

Favorite local trail: Eh Line + Jethro at South 

Best post-race meal or snack: burgers

Hobbies outside of biking: downhill skiing, running, guitar

Proudest moment: Finishing Marji 50

Fun fact: plays guitar

Chloe Jackson

Grade: 9th

Favorite race: Marji

Favorite local trail: Penstock

Best post-race meal or snack: Subway

Hobbies outside of biking: Hurdling, hiking, hanging out with friends

Proudest moment: opportunity to conduct a song in 8th grade band 

Fun fact: taught herself how to tap dance


Nicole Kerkela

Grade: 10th

Favorite race: Nordic 

Favorite local trails: South Trails

Best post-race meal or snack: Smoothie

Hobbies outside of biking: Hockey, Tennis

Proudest Moment: making Nationals for Hockey

Fun fact: first raced Ore to Shore at 4 years old

Sunshine Oelfke

Grade: 6th

Favorite race: Trek Waterloo

Favorite local trail: Eh Line

Best post-race meal or snack: Kwik Trip Pizza

Hobbies outside of biking: climbing and snowmobiling

Proudest moment: started & finished every NICA race in '23 season

Fun fact: has a collection of 1000 flamingos

Izzy Prusi

Grade: 11th

Favorite race: Trek Waterloo

Favorite local trail: Flannel Shirt

Best post-race meal or snack: Pizza, or veggie trays from Kwik Trip

Hobbies outside of biking: XC Skiing, reading

Proudest moment: Making XC Junior Nationals

Fun fact: likes to travel

Jack Robinson

Grade: 10th

Favorite race: Mini Marji

Favorite local trail: Smiley

Best post race meal or snack: burger

Hobbies outside of biking: running, snowboarding, fishing

Proudest moment: 3rd place at Mini Marji, recent baptism

Fun fact: lived in the woods for most of his life, without wifi

Leah Robinson

Grade: 6th

Favorite race: Iron Range Roll

Favorite local trail: Eh Line

Best post race meal or snack: steak

Hobbies outside of biking: softball

Proudest moment: Great Deer Chase win

Fun fact: bike nerd

Millie Schmidt

Grade: 8th

Favorite race: Trails Fest

Favorite local trail: Smiley

Best post race meal or snack: protein bar & fruit

Hobbies outside of biking: swimming, volleyball, going to the beach, reading

Proudest moment: finishing the Mini Marji alone after JJ quite

Fun fact: "I'm actually kinda loud when you get to know me!"

Emmalyn Verardi

Grade: 9th

Favorite race: Crusher 100

Favorite local trail: Pipeline to Freak n Nature

Best post-race meal or snack: Kwik Trip Donuts

Hobbies outside of biking: Snowboarding, softball, reading murder/mystery

Proudest moment: academic awards - Kaufman award

Fun fact: only child

Alexa Whaley

Grade: 10th

Favorite race: Crusher MS

Favorite local trail: Freak n Nature

Best post-race meal or snack: snacks from Kwik Trip

Hobbies outside of biking: softball and basketball

Proudest moment: getting on the podium for the first time at Cable 

Fun fact: has a basketball collection, likes to make Crusher harder