The rough and ready Folsom High Cycling Team opened the 2010 Nor Cal High School Mountain Bike Racing League season at Monterey’s Fort Ord East Garrison with grit and determination.

“Absolutely off the hook” was the phrase coach Jason McMillen used to describe the opening of the 10th Nor Cal High School Mountain Bike Racing League series opener in beautiful Monterey. Over 500 racers from high schools as far away as Redding descended on the East Garrison course to prove their mettle on a mountain bike. More than one hundred racers showed up for the opener this year than last year, continuing the incredible growth of the Nor Cal League, creating huge fields of 70 or more per division and wall to wall spectators.

Folsom had a great start led by veteran Varsity rider Karli Haugen. For the first time in her career, she was in contention for the win at the varsity level. The race was hotly contested until the final lap. Haugen ended up second, just a over a minute off of the wheel of Nor Cal varsity girls’ defending champion, Shayna Powless, and ahead of 2008 champion Christine Weir.

The East Garrison course was hard on many but Shelli Coverdale rode her best race to date, finishing 14th in a 40-rider junior varsity girls’ race. Megan Marshall also had a good showing in her first JV race, finishing in the top-20.

The JV boys, however, had some great moments and some tough luck. Kyle Luther continued his ascent to the top of the Nor Cal League, picking up a podium finish in his first race in the JV boys’ division. His teammate, Sam Wamhoff, was off to a great start, vying for the lead on the first two laps but a hard crash relegated him to a gritty 14th-place finish. Brent Keeler also scored for the team with a 16th-place finish in JV.

James Amort recovered from an early crash to place ninth in the sophomore boys’ division. James ran in the top three early in the race before he collided with another rider. Top Folsom freshman prospect Adam Sevy debuted in the top 20 in a 70-rider field until he also fell victim to a hard crash. Undeterred, Sevy sprinted up the final straight on foot pushing his battered bike. Amort, Wamhoff and Sevy showed the Nor Cal world what kind of kids come from Folsom.

Folsom’s next race is at the friendly confines of Granite Beach in Granite Bay on March 21.