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