Ability-based Categories

In an effort to create a more inclusive environment and allow for student-athletes to participate in fields that fill their needs, we assign students into ability-based categories. Here’s what that means:

MS 1 = 6th Graders
MS 2 = 7th Graders
MS 3 = 8th Graders
HS 1 = 9th & 10th graders who are new to the league or who did not qualify for any other categories. Any 8th grader who successfully petitions into the category.
HS 2 = 11th – 12th graders who are new to the league or who did not qualify for any other categories.
HS 3 = 10th graders who: Placed in the top 20% in any two Freshman races in the prior year; or placed in the top 20% in the overall Freshman season standings in the prior year. 11th graders who placed in the top 20% in any two Sophomore races in the prior year, or placed in the top 20% in the overall Sophomore season standings in the prior year. 11th – 12th graders who placed in the top 11- 30% in any two JV races in the prior year, or placed in the top 11- 30% in the overall JV season standings in the prior year. Any 9th - 12th grader who successfully petitions into the category.

Varsity = 9th – 12th graders who: Placed in the top 10% in any two JV races in the prior year; or placed in the top 10% in the overall JV season standing in the prior year; or raced Varsity in the previous year; or Successfully petitioned into the category.

For returning student-athletes, the placement in our previous race season is used to calculate which ability-based field they’re in. Current categories for returning riders can be seen on the 2024 CPT. For new student-athletes, placement is based on the grade they’ll enter in the fall, unless there is a petition to upgrade to a different category.

LAPS
Each field does a certain amount of laps of the race course. Unless we need to alter the course or schedule for weather or trail conditions, lap counts for each field are usually:

  • MS1-3 will do one lap with the option of one bonus lap (2 laps total)

  • HS1-2 will do two laps with the option of one bonus lap (3 laps total)

  • HS3 does three laps with the option of one bonus lap (4 laps total)

  • Varsity does three laps with the option of one bonus lap (4 laps total)

Distance
Mileage at each race venues varies, but our courses are usually 3.5-4.5 miles long. We’re in Oregon so we’ve got quite a bit of elevation, sometimes up to 600ft per lap.