THORNWOOD – The Catskill Claws are back for the 2023 season and completed their first race on April 23. Both the high school and middle school teams competed on the same course, which was around three miles long and had 200 feet of elevation change per lap.

Braedan Clarke led the Claws’ high school team scoring with 427 points for the Sophomore boys class. An overall time of 1:17:56 was paced by a fastest lap of 25:20.

Grant Brown similarly netted 427 points, though for the Freshman boys class. With a fastest lap time of 26:33 and overall time of 1:17:56, Brown finished in 10th place.

Jackson Krause and Jasper Hance tied for points with 396.

“It was a really wet soggy day for races,” Team Director Keith Stephenson said. “However, our kids still gave it their all and had a great event.”

Up next for the Claws, a race in Liberty on May 7. For the past two years, the Claws have returned to Liberty, where they practice, for at least one race, which brings competitors and families from all over the state for the weekend.

“The kids are all really looking forward to the next event in Liberty,” Stephenson said.

Last year, the Claws season concluded at Walnut Mountain Park on June 5, but this year it is going to be just the second race of the season hosted on their home course.

The New York Interscholastic Cycling League event for this weekend will feature the Claws competing against teams making their way down to Liberty from around New York.

“Having the New York Interscholasticc Cycling League back in Liberty to host the second event of the season is fantastic,” Stephenson said. “We’re very fortunate to have one of the five league events held in our region again this Sunday. It’s a great opportunity for families to bring their kids and get outside to watch from the trailside as teams and their kids from across the state compete for a spot on the podium.”