First Night Together: Energy, Laughter, and Team Bonding

New race kit, tighter fit, functional pockets, and an exciting first night as a full team. Sponsors aren’t just money, they signal belief in our young athletes. Pete Stetina joined us, mentorship in action. Big night, big goals.

Welcome to the Team: Seth!

Say hello to Seth, our newest middle school rider in his second season of Virginia NICA and VAHS racing. He stormed to the podium in his first season and has been bringing that smile for days, a massive heart, and pure passion to every ride with his NICA/VAHS team, Charlottesville Junior Racing Mountain Bike Club. Already throwing down intervals to take it to the next level, he handled the full 3CR whirlwind new faces, frozen photoshoots, first-night jitters like he’d been part of the team since day one.

Riders like him make the team not just fast, but fun, supportive, and unstoppable.

First-Night Chaos (and Pizza!)

And speaking of unstoppable… Coach Deborah deserves a shoutout. In the middle of the chaos, I might have thought about pizza (maybe even mumbled it), and somehow food magically appeared. Proof that great coaches don’t just train muscles, they feed hearts (and stomachs).

Between new riders, first-night energy, and Coach Deborah keeping everyone fueled, it was a night full of laughter, bonding, and the kind of team spirit that sets the tone for the season.

Mentorship in Action: Pete Stetina

Shortly after returning from a Girona training camp with Canyon ATR, Pete Stetina spent time with our team. It started a little chaotic. Maybe a little awkward, unstructured and full of nervous energy. But, it quickly settled into a conversation that held so much meaning for everyone in the room. Parents and coaches nodding in agreement and shared a few laughs. Athletes leaned further and kept asking Pete some deep questions. They listened to equally reflective answers. One or two even stumped Pete as he dug deep into the way back machine for his early experiences as a junior athlete.

Beth was smiling from ear to ear as she watched Pete, someone she once supported as a junior as he now supported her juniors. Those years between the 5280 Development team and tonight seeming not so far apart after all. That’s the magic of youth cycling: impossibly interconnected and beautiful. Seeing Pete share knowledge, laugh with riders, and invest in growth reinforced why mentorship in  junior mountain biking matters. We all had fun sharing our experiences with junior mountain biking in Virginia and the East coast.

Riveted with an occasional side glance to Coach Erik when some of the advice sounded a little too familiar.

Sponsors: More Than Money

Sponsors at 3 Cats Racing aren’t just logos. They’re mentors, cheerleaders, and supporters. From parents stretching spring break funds to industry adults investing time and energy, each sponsor signals that someone believes in these young athletes. This belief fuels growth, confidence, and resilience and I am telling you means literally everything when they are standing on that line with bigger, badder teams from all over the US.

Our flat team structure and advisory group ensure every rider has a voice and access to mentorship. Every adult is a guide, every sponsor is part of the story, and every rider knows they are supported on and off the trail.

Freezing Photoshoot, Warm Hearts

Yes, the photoshoot was cold. Fingers stiff, teeth chattering but it captured grit, joy, and the thrill of being a team ready to hit the trails together. And we were able to include our new teammate, Seth, for a much needed website update.

New kit, new faces, same heart. Ready to ride.

Ready to join 3 Cats Racing or support Virginia junior mountain biking? Learn more about our programs and get involved today.