Women's Cycling | 1/19/2018 9:06:00 AM

ATLANTA Ga. --- Ella Harris, U23 cyclist from the New Zealand's National Women's Team, has declared she will attend SCAD Atlanta starting in Fall 2018. Harris will be an important member of the Women's Cycling team as SCAD Atlanta works to become one of the top ranked Varsity collegiate teams in the US. "We are really excited to add another woman to the team, especially someone who has a lot of road racing experience," said Head Coach Namrita Kumar. Harris has an impressive cycling resume; she placed first at the NZ Club Nationals U23 Road Race in April 2017 and finished just outside the top 10 in the Elite Women's Road Race at NZ Elite Nationals in January 2017. Harris is a former member of the New Zealand U19 Women's Team but due to a recent crash she was unable to compete at 2018 Elite Nationals or Tour Down Under as originally planned. Learn more about Ella Harris below:

Q: What do you plan to study while you attend SCAD Atlanta?

A: I intend to study a BFA in Advertising and Branding.

Q: What do you consider your strengths on the bike?

A: I really enjoy sitting on the front and chasing, or pushing the pace. I also like races with a few climbs as the tougher, more undulating courses play to my strengths. I especially love climbing and riding longer distances. 

Q: What do you envision as your role on the SCAD Atlanta Cycling team?

A: I feel as if I could share some new ideas to bring a fresh approach to the team's racing tactics. Having raced for Mike Greer Homes Women's Cycling (domestic trade team) in numerous top-level NZ races, I have experience racing as a team and love to help out as much as I can to reach a common goal. 

Q: What excites you about SCAD Atlanta?

A: SCAD Atlanta seems like a very welcoming and relaxed team environment which I am really keen to immerse myself in while balancing my studies. I'm also very excited to move to a new country and live in a city that is completely the opposite of where I live now. I'm looking forward to experiencing a new way of life and having many unfamiliar roads to explore! 

Q: Where will you be racing next?
A: I am looking forward to racing with the New Zealand team at the UCI Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, and with my team Mike Greer Homes Women's Cycling at the UCI Herald Sun Tour and Oceania Cycling Championships.