Healthy habits over goals — that’s the key message CottonCrest mountain bike team coach Dan Fisher tells his 71 riders.

That’s because he’s wanting his student-athletes to learn life skills and character development beyond racing.

“I emphasize habits over goals,” Fisher said. “Goals are important, but habits are what make you into the best version of yourself. And when motivation fades — because it always does — discipline and healthy habits keep you going. I want kids to learn deeper life skills and a love for the sport.”

Every race ends with reflection. Exhausted riders roll into the finish corral, where Fisher is waiting to ask: “What are two things you would do differently next time?”

“There’s nothing that will humble you like racing 10 to 25 miles on an incredibly challenging mountain bike course. But when you're at that peak intensity, things become crystal clear,” he said.

The crowd cheers on CottonCrest’s Ethan Shogren in the boys JVA race at Butterfield Canyon. (Photo courtesy of Dave Butler)

With that mentality, Fisher has seen success in races with Team CottonCrest — comprising of student-athletes from Cottonwood and Hillcrest high schools — and their feeder systems — as well as AMES.

Hillcrest High senior Alex Fisher and Cottonwood High senior Ben Evans competed at the varsity level. Their path to varsity wasn't quick or easy — both have spent years working toward this moment. This season they began training in January, and as press deadline, they had two races left in October — a course in Gunnison and the state championships in Cedar City.

“This is a multiyear process to get to the point where you're a varsity-level athlete. Alex is in the top 10. Ben had a hiccup last race, but that’s part of the journey and life lessons,” he said.

That last race in Panguitch, Alex Fisher placed 10th while Evans was 36th. Earlier in the season at the Herriman course, Evans took 19th. The next race at Beaver Mountain, Alex Fisher took 12th and Evans, 21st. 

On the girls’ side, Hillcrest High senior Alice Stephens has led the riders, competing in junior varsity A. She has been consistent, placing 17th at Herriman, 15th at Beaver Mountain; and 15th at Panguitch. Her teammate, senior Sophie Riches took 20th at Herriman, 19th at Beaver Mountain; and 19th at Panguitch.

Two juniors, Cottonwood’s Collin McDonnel and Hillcrest’s Lincoln Wickham, have set their sights on varsity competition next year. Both are currently racing JVA. 

“High school mountain biking is very competitive. To compete at the varsity level, you're training at least five days a week and putting in thousands of miles. It's a huge commitment,” Fisher said.

But not every rider is aiming for the top tier. All riders can find their trails in the program, Fisher said.

For example, one rider set a goal this season to be more social and her coach supported her in her goal while also helping her grow as a leader on and off the bike.

“I asked her, ‘How many people have you introduced yourself to this week?’ One time, she started complaining after a race, and I reminded her to set an example,” he said.

CottonCrest’s culture thrives thanks to a group of more than a dozen volunteer coaches, some who continue to coach because they love being part of it.

“That gets me emotional. Seeing someone who no longer has a kid on the team, still showing up because they believe in what we’ve built — to me, that’s a bigger success than any race result,” said Fisher, who has ridden for 34 years and coached the team nine years, the last two as head coach.

The team also does trail maintenance projects, takes part in bike clinics and holds a barbecue as well as performs service work with Bikes for Kids. 

“We’re not just building racers. We’re building people,” Fisher said. “We’re about making sure the kids and parents have a good experience.”