NINE MILE FALLS – The Bainbridge Island Gear Grinders, the high school and middle school-level composite mountain bike racing team, powered through the final race of the Washington Student Cycling League season at the state championships at Riverside State Park in Nine Mile Falls on Sunday, May 15.

The Gear Grinders raced eight high school and 12 middle school riders, joining 222 racers from across Washington.

On the winner’s podium after the race were Tessa Vroom, fourth place in Intermediate high school girls; Olivia Cavalluzzi, fifth place in beginner high school girls; Samantha Campbell, third place in sixth-grade girls; Edgar Flynn, fourth place in advanced middle school boys; and also Sam Kuznetsov, third place in seventh-grade boys.

Will Robertson, Abe Muldrow, Olivia Cavalluzzi and Tessa Vroom contributed points to the Gear Grinders high school team, which finished in sixth place overall in the state out of 21 teams.

Sam Kuznetzov, Edgar Flynn, Colton Albee, Max Doane and Samantha Campbell contributed points to the Gear Grinders middle school team at the final race.

The team finished the season in sixth place overall out of 16 middle school teams.