Nineteen Mercer Island mountain bike riders made the trek to Spokane last weekend to participate in the Washington Student Cycling League’s State Championship Race.

In just their third year, the Mercer Island Middle and High School Composite team had five riders reach the podium, including two riders who were crowned state champions in their divisions.

State champions from Mercer Island included:

• Beginner girls first place and state champion: Elizabeth (Grace) Huxtable (ninth grade) – 5 miles – time 32:53

• Sixth grade girls first place and state champion: Hailey Pittiglio – 5 miles – time 34:17:33

• Coaches’ race: Coach Ian Tubbs earned first place – 5 miles – time 21 minutes

Other podium finishers at the state championships included:

• Junior varsity girls: fifth place – Taylor Libman (10th grade) – 20 miles – time 1:49:25:56

• Advanced middle school boys: fourth place – Cruz Cervantes (eighth grade) – 10 miles – time 1:10:35.24

• Eighth grade boys: fifth place – Nathan Pittiglio – 5 miles – time 25:41:22

Overall in the series, the Mercer Island Composite team is proud to have the following athletes recognized and ranked in their divisions:

• Fourth place overall: Taylor Libman – Junior varsity girls; Cruz Cervantes – advanced middle school boys; Ella Connelley–Smith – sixth grade girls

• Fifth place overall: Nathan Pittiglio – eighth grade boys

• Second place overall: Hailey Pittiglio – sixth grade girls

The Mercer Island team is coached by Heather and Warren Libman founders, as well as Ian Tubbs, Ben Landsman, Brian Gierke, Daniel Heller, Devon Simpson, Erin Snodgrass, Jon Harris, Kimberly Kallinger, Leana Gerrard and Mike Gile.

Race results for all races can be found at http://washingtonleague.org/results.