North Coast Gnarwhals build momentum for youth mountain biking in Medina, Strongsville
The North Coast Gnarwhals, a Medina-based mountain biking team for grades 5-12, is growing under coach Brian Bilinovich’s leadership, giving young riders confidence and skills while competing and practicing on local trails.Submitted
Founded in 2022, the local team gives students in grades 5-12 a chance to train, race and gain confidence on Ohio’s trails.
The Medina-based North Coast Gnarwhals mountain biking team, founded in 2022 for grades 5-12, is helping young riders gain skills and confidence while training and racing under coach Brian Bilinovich’s guidance on local trails.Submitted
Mountain biking is a relatively unknown sport that requires dedication and a lot of practice. Not many are aware that there is a local mountain biking team, the North Coast Gnarwhals Mountain Biking Team. They practice on nearby trails in Medina and the Strongsville Metro Parks.
The Gnarwhals started in 2022 in Medina for grades 5-12, and the group that runs the Gnarwhals, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), started in Ohio in 2020. NICA has been in Western states since 2009, though they were late to start in Ohio. They are currently growing in scope.
Brian Bilinovich, head coach of the Gnarwhals, started mountain biking because his friends were riding bikes, and from then on, it was always in the back of his mind. They ended up letting him borrow a bike, and he got hooked. His favorite Ohio trail is Royal View. “I don't have a least favorite trail. I enjoy riding my bike that much. As long as I'm on my bike, I'm happy.” Last year, he had five crashes, the most he has had in one season, but miraculously had no broken bones.
Bilinovich is grateful to be a coach with devoted students. “I love seeing the progress with my athletes. The start of the season to the end is such a huge difference. Watching them get more and more confident on a bike keeps bringing me back… Try to find a group or friends to mentor you! Mentorship is so big in any activity. Learning on your own can be challenging, but if you have a buddy to show you the way… anything is possible.”
If you are ever interested in getting into mountain biking, check out their website at www.gnarwhals.org.
Cayton Blake, Brunswick Middle School, is one of more than 50 student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club.
