Mason Evans ’26 Signs with Lees-McRae College for Mountain Biking and Art

For Mason, the opportunity represents the culmination of years of growth with the mountain biking program at Vermont Academy. Reflecting on his time with the team, he emphasized how meaningful it has been to see the program evolve and gain recognition. “Watching the program grow and get the recognition it deserves has been incredible,” Mason said.

The continued development of the team has also been supported by partnerships with organizations such as Vermont Adaptive Mountain Sports and Highland Mountain Bike Park. Mason noted that these relationships have expanded the terrain and riding opportunities available to riders and helped attract athletes interested in multiple mountain biking disciplines. A key part of Mason’s development has been the community around the team. He credits the camaraderie among teammates and the mentorship of coach Greg Martin for helping him reach the collegiate level.

“The camaraderie from the many teammates I've had over the years and the amazing coaching I've received from Greg Martin have made a huge difference,” Mason said. “I've been able to become more coachable, build great relationships, and really hone my craft on the Vermont Academy trails over the last four years.”

Looking ahead, Mason is motivated by the challenge of collegiate competition. “A big reason I'm going to continue racing in college is wanting to be pushed to my absolute limit physically, and then push past that,” he explained. “College racing is brutal and very demanding, and I want to see what I'm capable of.” Lees-McRae stood out among the schools Mason considered because of its elite mountain biking program. “Other schools I applied to have clubs, but Lees was the only one with an actual Division I race team,” he said. “I was very fortunate to receive an offer from the coaches to race for them.”

Located in Banner Elk, North Carolina, the college sits near some of the most renowned trails on the East Coast, including those in Pisgah National Forest. The nearby mountain biking hub of Asheville is also home to well known bike component manufacturers such as Industry Nine and Cane Creek Cycling Components, creating a vibrant cycling culture that Mason is eager to join.

While racing will play a major role in his college experience, Mason will also pursue his longtime passion for art. Mason's time at Vermont Academy helped him realize that art is something he wants to continue exploring. “I’ve always been a very artistic person, and being able to take dedicated art classes at VA helped me see that art is something I love and want to keep doing,” he said.

Interestingly, Mason sees a direct connection between his artistic perspective and his riding style. “Creativity plays a huge part in how I ride my bike,” he explained. “It’s almost like an art or a dance, choosing the line to take and how to move the bike. I’m also able to use that creativity when I build bikes.” At Lees-McRae, Mason looks forward to balancing his artistic studies with the demands of year-round training and competition. “I’m excited to take more dedicated art courses while training daily and racing throughout the year,” he said.

His goals for the next chapter are ambitious but clear. “I want to do well in my classes, make art I’m proud of, and build strong social connections,” Mason said. “On the bike, I hope to push myself more than I ever have—winning races and making it to Nationals as a sophomore.”

Before graduating, Mason is also preparing for one final creative project on campus. For Vermont Academy’s annual Senior Art Show, he is creating a mixed-media exhibition that combines collage and photography. “The show explores memory and forgotten spaces,” he said. “It’s sort of a secret what I’m photographing, but it will be very interesting.”

As Mason prepares to graduate and head south, his achievements highlight the growing strength of Vermont Academy’s mountain biking program, the arts curriculum, and the diverse passions of the students who make it thrive, promoting healthy excellence on and off the bike!