Head Coach Julie Carter has announced the addition of Abi Yates to the cycling team for the 2021-22 season.  The Rowlett, Texas resident from Sachse High School brings over nine years of racing experience in the cyclocross, mountain bike, and road disciplines to the program.

Yates began riding when she was around seven or eight years old and competed in her first mountain bike race at the age of nine, mainly because of her brother.  

"He joined his high school team and I was the annoying sister who wanted to be like her big brother," she recalled.  "So, I annoyed my mom to the point where she would finally let me compete."

Yates got a road bike to train when she was 11 and started competing in that discipline soon thereafter.  She found her love for cyclocross the following year.

The biggest career highlight for Yates so far was getting chosen to compete overseas in Belgium with Team USA for cyclocross.  She also earned several national podium spots over the years, including fourth place in the 15-16 Cyclocross National Championships and second at the 17-18 Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships.  She also has over 10 Texas State Championship titles in cyclocross, criteriums, and mountain biking.

Yates has been a member of the Matrix Cycle Club RBM since she started racing, and she is currently a member of the USA Junior National Cyclocross Development Team.  Her favorite course is the Lunch Loops in Grand Junction, Colorado and her favorite athlete is Mathieu Vanderpoel.

Yates is originally from England and she and her family moved to the United States in 2010.  She shared some other interesting facts.

"We used to be swimmers and gymnasts, completely the opposite of cycling," she said.  "I have three little puppies who are my world.  I am the youngest of three; I have an amazing older brother and sister, and I will be the first one moving out of state since we moved to Texas.

"My main goal as an athlete is to of course be the strongest I can and race to my full potential. I've struggled a lot with mental challenges the past few seasons and I want to overcome them. The main goal race on my list right now is the U23 Cyclocross World Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2022."

Yates will arrive as a freshman and is officially undecided about a major at this point, but might pursue Sports Management at Lindenwood University.