MICL Categories and High School Upgrade Policy

New Race Categories!

Based on recommendations from NICA National as well as other NICA Leagues, we are changing up our race categories in the direction of ability-based in hopes of making them more streamlined for our student athletes.

Categories for the 2024 Season are as follows:

6th Grade– 6th Grade only (1 lap race)

7th Grade– 7th Grade only (1 lap race)

8th Grade– 8th Grade only (1 lap race)

Competitive 7th and 8th– for 7th and 8th grade Boys and Girls ready to race 2 laps and looking for a more competitive race.

7th and 8th graders who successfully petition into the category.
Note- 8th graders can still petition to race in the JV1 category if coach and student athlete deem them ready for high school level competition.
This is ONE category of mixed 7th and 8th graders

JV3- This is a novice category with shorter races to make for an easy transition from middle school racing or introduction to mountain bike racing.

All 9-12th grade Boys and Girls will be automatically placed in this category by Pit Zone
Except for those who qualified for other categories or successfully petitioned into other categories.

JV2- This is a step up from JV3 with a slightly longer race and a higher level of competition than JV3. This category is for:

9th-12th grade Boys and Girls, except those who qualified for other categories; or raced JV2 in the prior year but did not qualify for JV1 or Varsity.
9th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Placed in the top 25% in any two 8th grade races in the prior year.
- Previously raced in the Competitive 7th and 8th Category and did not automatically upgrade to JV1
Any 9-12th grade Boys or Girls who:
- Choose to opt into JV2 from JV3 (does not require a formal petition)

JV1- This category is one step below Varsity and is for:

10th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Placed in the top 25% in any two Freshman races in the prior year, or placed in the top 30% of the Freshman overall season standings in the prior year
10th – 12th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Placed in the top 25% in any two JV2 races in the prior year, or placed in the top 30% of the JV2 overall season standings in the prior year, or
- Raced JV1 in the prior year but did not qualify to upgrade to Varsity.
8th-12th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Successfully petition into the category
9th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Previously raced in Competitive 7th and 8th and had two finishes in the top 20%.

Varsity- This is the most competitive category with the longest races. It is for:

10th – 12th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Placed in the top 25% in any two JV1 races in the prior year, or placed in the top 30% of the JV1 overall season standings in the prior year, or
- Raced Varsity the prior year;
9th-12th grade Boys and Girls who:
- Successfully petition into the category.

Here is our Category Change Request for reference. Please note that the Upgrade Petition Form can only be submitted by head coaches.