Press Release for Immediate Release
Contact Vicky Sama, Media Relations at jamcycling at gmail.com.
JAM Cycling Fund is awarding this year's JAM Grants to eight cyclists who show promise as future cyclocross pros. The recipients of the senior grant are Trent Blackburn from Wilmington, N.C., Merv Davis of Morgantown, W. Va., Ian Gielar of Petersborough, N.H., Jena Greaser of Barkhamsted, Conn., and Van Morales from Morgantown, W. Va.. The recipients of the junior grants are Mira Fowler of Florence, Mass., Aden Maple and Cameron Scott from Somers, Conn.
"We're pretty excited about this year's crop of recipients," said Al Donahue, JAM Fund's cycling coach and co-founder. "A good group of these riders came out of Northampton Cycling Club and the kids series we do with them."
Fowler is 12 years old and has been racing bikes since she was "really little." She says she will use the grant money for registration fees and tires.
"I plan on racing the Connecticut series and maybe nationals for the first time," Fowler said.
Fowler finished in second place at Saturday's Silk City Cross in Manchester, Conn.
Mira Fowler got 2nd in the junior girls 10-12 year olds race at Silk City Cross. Photo by Jeff Fowler.
Merv Davis (pictured in header), who turns 23 in December, is relocating from West Virginia. to Easthampton, Mass. later this month to be closer to the JAM family. Davis has been racing cross for three years and this summer attended the Cycle-Smart Cross Camp where he met Coach Donahue.
"Just the weekend at the camp, I gained so much riding with those guys," Davis said. "That's the big reason I'm moving up there-- to spend more time with the best guys in this sport."
Davis was selected for a senior JAM Grant and wants to use that support to make it to the races.
Jena Greaser, 29, is off to a strong start this season, finishing 5th and 6th at Nittany on Saturday and Sunday despite being sick the week before and recovering from a knee injury over the past year. Her passion for cross helped her win a JAM Grant.
"It's a huge help to have the support from Al," Greaser said. "It's a big honor that he recognizes my passion for cycling, putting faith in me and believing in me. I'm doing my best and trying my hardest and JAM sees that in their athletes. The program is doing such an amazing thing for up-and-coming athletes who have potential and need extra guidance and support."
Jena Greaser has a background in cross country mountain biking but says cross is her main love. Here she is at Nittany Lion Cross where she finished top ten both days in the UCI women's race.
The JAM Fund Grants are made possible by generous donations from supporters including the Northampton Cycling Club and from the JAM Fund Grand Fundo. Your donations are always appreciated and help support the future of cyclocross. To make a gift, simply click on the Join Us button above or write us at jamcycling at gmail.com.