NICA Honors Three From Georgia Cycling
The Georgia Cycling Association is proud that three of its very own have been honored with awards from the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. The 2020 NICA Awards are presented across eleven categories to individuals who have been nominated by their peers as the most outstanding student-athletes, dedicated coaches and most supportive volunteers and sponsors that have contributed to the youth cycling movement during the 2020 season.
Recognized from Georgia Cycling were:
Student-Athlete Leadership Award
The Student-Athlete Leadership Award honors student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, academic performance, and volunteerism in their team, school, and community.
Richone Jackson, Middle Georgia Composite
Richone has been biking for two years and was on the first year of the Middle Georgia Composite team. He is the president of the youth bike team and it has grown from 4 student-athletes to close to 40, including both road and mountain biking. He is a very active volunteer and participates in JROTC at Westside High School.
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year Award acknowledges a head coach whose qualities as a leader and motivator embodies NICA’s mission to provide student-athletes with the coaching and camaraderie to help them achieve both competitive and non-competitive goals in a safe and enjoyable manner.
Dolores Montero, Forsyth County Composite and North Forsyth HS
n late 2016, Dolores’ husband Eddie Montero was asked to start a team for their county since there were enough riders to do so. He asked Dolores to become a coach and she agreed! Together they started the 2017 Forsyth County Composite team with another coach and only 4 riders. They were scared that no one would join the team but within days of starting the Facebook page and advertising the beginning of the team, they had multiple inquiries and their first information meeting was a success signing up several new riders. By the start of the race season, they had increased the team from 4 riders and 3 coaches to 19 riders and 13 coaches!!
Extraordinary Courage Award
The Extraordinary Courage Award recognizes student-athletes who have persevered through challenging circumstances and overcome adversity to develop and excel as an individual and role-model to other students.
JaDarrious Taylor, Georgia League, Middle Georgia Composite
JaDarrious’ teammates know him by his last name Taylor. He loves biking but got interested when the U Create Macon coaches approached him about joining their team. Even without riding on trails before, he was in the top 25% of riders in his division. Taylor has a love of mountain biking and can't wait to build upon that next year.
As 2020 was our final year as an affiliate of NICA, we are proud that these three phenomenal individuals represented Georgia in such spectacular fashion. Congratulations on receiving your well-deserved awards and thank you for all you do for the sport of mountain biking.