Young Groms Racing at Sea Otter Australia Schools Champs

The mountain bike community came alive at the recent Sea Otter Australia Schools Championships, hosted by Rocky Trail Academy on the stunning Mogo Trails near Batemans Bay, NSW. With over 300 students from across the country lining up in school teams, the event delivered high energy racing with strong competition.

Below is a summary of the top three finishers in each of the major school age categories:

Intermediate (Years 9–10) – Boys

1. Oliver Ball – Bulli High School
2. Mitchel Browning – Bellingen High School
3. Tahla Price – Meridan State College

Junior (Years 7–8) – Boys

1. Lucas Rutherford – Blue Mountains Grammar School
2. William Dixon – Albury High School
3. Angus Young – Nowra Anglican College

Primary (Years 4–6) – Boys

1. Finnegan Daly – Duffy Primary School
2. Mason Rennie – Waniora
3. Jake Mullens – Narooma Public School

Senior (Years 11–12) – Boys

1. Oliver Rutherford – Blue Mountains Grammar School
2. Zack Whitby – Carroll College Broulee
3. Jack Dumbrell – Engadine High School

Intermediate (Years 9–10) – Girls

1. Evelyn Power – Canberra High School
2. Isla Dixon – Albury High School
3. Alice Hodgson – Illawarra Sports High

Junior (Years 7–8) – Girls

1. Kirrily Gates – Chancellor State High School
2. Willow Frazer – Newcastle Grammar School
3. Kaia Mullens – Narooma High School

Primary (Years 4–6) – Girls

1. Zahli Bates – Grays Point Primary School
2. Imogen Beggs-French – Duffy Primary School
3. Amber Farrow – Grays Point Primary School

Senior (Years 11–12) – Girls

1. Alana Fletcher – Castlemaine Secondary College
2. Kate Shapley – Stella Maris College, Manly
3. Abigail Van Halen – Beaufort Secondary College

Event and Format Highlights

The event took place on Thursday 23 October 2025 at the Mogo Trails, Botanic Gardens Trailhead. Riders competed across three timed stages, each of which could be attempted multiple times, with the fastest time on each track counting toward the overall result.

The aim was to foster participation and school spirit while introducing students to the excitement of mountain biking in a fun and competitive setting.

Why this event matters

Rocky Trail Entertainment, through the Rocky Trail Academy, continues to build pathways for young riders, providing an accessible and inclusive entry point into mountain biking. By partnering with Sea Otter Australia, the Championships elevate school based racing to a national stage, reinforcing community and adventure for the next generation of riders. Read more about mountain biking in schools here.

Looking ahead

For schools and students already involved, and those yet to join, the message is clear: get involved early, aim for your regional rounds, and bring your school spirit.