Zirconia, N.C. – The SCAD cycling team rolled into the Blue Ridge Mountains this past weekend for the Ride Rock Creek SECCC Mountain Bike event and left with podium finishes, gritty efforts, and plenty of momentum for the season ahead.

The highlight of the weekend came in the Women's A cross country race, where senior Jette Aelken put in a masterclass performance. From the first climb, she separated herself from the field, extending her lead with every lap. By the finish, Aelken crossed the line more than two and a half minutes clear of the next rider, cementing her status as one of the top endurance riders in the conference.

Not to be outdone, Gabriel Payne delivered an equally commanding ride in the Men's A cross country race. Steady on the climbs and smooth on the technical descents, Payne opened a gap and held it all the way to the line, finishing with a winning margin of one minute and 45 seconds. His victory gave SCAD a sweep of the top spots in both the men's and women's premier cross country races.

Graduate student Ian Schwing added depth to the Bees' performance with a 7th-place finish in Men's A cross country. Schwing's weekend didn't stop there—he also tested his skills in the Dual Slalom A, where tight corners and high-speed descents kept the competition close. He battled through to claim 12th place, showing his versatility across disciplines.

On the women's side, Mea Cleathero and Macy Lester were fixtures in the action all weekend. Cleathero put together one of her best performances of the young season, finishing 11th in Women's short track cross country. Lester, a freshman making her SECCC debut, doubled up on events—earning 12th in the Women's A dual slalom and 15th in short track. For both riders, the experience against a deep field promises growth for the races still to come.

By the end of the weekend, SCAD left Ride Rock Creek with two emphatic cross country victories, several top-15 finishes, and the kind of confidence that can carry a team deep into the season. With Aelken and Payne setting the pace and younger riders like Cleathero and Lester gaining ground, the Bees are quickly proving they have both the star power and the depth to contend across the SECCC calendar.