LHYC Interscholastic

NICA Teams

National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)

The Laurel Highlands Youth Cycling (LHYC) program is built on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to experience the outdoors on two wheels. As a proud affiliate of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), we provide a safe, inclusive, and high-energy environment for student-athletes in grades 6–12.

The Pennsylvania League (PICL)

Our teams operate within the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL). As one of the largest chapters in the nation, PICL manages a season that runs from July through October.

Events: The season features a mix of "Adventure" weekends and a multi-race series held at premier trail systems across the state.
Scale: In recent seasons, PICL has seen participation grow to over 1,500 student-athletes and 600+ certified coaches across Pennsylvania, fostering a massive community of trail advocates.

The "No Bench" Philosophy

Traditional sports often leave students on the sidelines based on skill level. NICA is different.

100% Participation: There are no tryouts and no cuts. Every student-athlete who joins the team participates in every practice and is eligible for every event.
Inclusivity by the Numbers: NICA’s commitment to diversity is central to its mission. Nationwide, female participation has grown to approximately 20% of the total student-athlete population, with specific "GRiT" (Girls Riding Together) initiatives designed to close the gender gap in cycling.

Choose Your Path: Racing vs. Adventure

We recognize that "success" looks different for every rider. Athletes can tailor their experience by choosing between two primary tracks:

NICA Racing
- Focus: Personal bests, endurance, and technical speed.
- Goal: Competing against peers in age-graded categories.
- Atmosphere: High-energy, timed cross-country courses.
NICA Adventure
- Focus: Skills, bike handling, and trail discovery.
- Goal: Completing challenges and group "epic" rides.
- Atmosphere: Low-pressure, collaborative, and social.

Our Teams

We provide a structure that ensures every student in the Laurel Highlands region has a "home team," regardless of where they go to school.

Laurel Highlands Composite Team

The "Composite" model is the backbone of NICA. This team is a melting pot of students from various private, charter, home, and public schools that do not yet have their own dedicated mountain bike program. It allows students from different backgrounds to form a tight-knit community bound by a love for the trails.

School-Based Teams

LHYC actively supports and incubates dedicated teams for local schools, allowing students to represent their home school colors. While these teams are managed and insured by LHYC, they operate through a formal partnership with the local school district.

Ligonier Valley MTB Team - Interscholastic team for student-athletes that live in and go to Ligonier Valley School District schools.
Hempfield Area MTB Team - Interscholastic team for student-athletes that live in and go to Hempfield Area School District schools.
Greater Latrobe MTB Team - Interscholastic team for student-athletes that live in and go to Hempfield Area School District schools.

Note: The Ligonier Valley MTB Team, Hempfield Area MTB Team, Greater Latrobe MTB Team are programs of Laurel Highlands Youth Cycling and are not endorsed by, nor do they represent the policies of, the Ligonier Valley School District, Hempfield Area School District or Greater Latrobe School District.

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