Jim Rogers would literally get behind his Sierra Express Bicycle Club members, push them and cheer them on to complete a tough ride after he had already finished.

At Nevada Union mountain bike races this past spring, Christa Baker wouldn't rest once she was finished. She got back out there and rooted on her fellow teammates through the toughest part of the course.

Baker was awarded the inaugural Jim Rogers Inspiration Award at the end of the Miners' mountain biking season for best representing Rogers' supportive nature and enthusiasm for cycling. Rogers was struck and killed by a motorist while riding his bicycle on Highway 174 in January.

“He sounded like a really amazing person,” said Baker, who will compete as a senior this coming school year. “It means a lot to me to be recognized.”

Carolyn Jones-Rogers, Jim's widow, came up with the idea for what she would like to be an annual award for a Miners' mountain biking athlete.

“I'm just trying to think of ways to honor my sweet husband,” said Jones-Rogers.

With the support of Jim Self, of Horace Mann Insurance, who provided the trophy, and Miners mountain biking coach Eric Newman, who selected the first recipient, the award was born.

The trophy will have a new recipient's name placed on it each year and Jones-Rogers and Self anticipate it being on display at Nevada Union.

“It was not even a hard choice,” Newman said. “She was by far the most gung-ho, cheering everyone on all the time.”

“(Competing) is half the fun,” Baker said. “You have all these endorphins once you've finished your race and you want to go help ... I know the toughest part, so I'll (cheer them on through that part).

In her first year of competition on NU's club, Baker finished in seventh place on the junior varsity level at the state championship race at Loma Rica Ranch.

While Baker was an easy choice as the award's first recipient, mountain biking wasn't her first choice for competitive sports at Nevada Union. She competed in alpine skiing for two years, but an anterior cruciate ligament injury pushed her toward mountain biking.

“Mountain biking is a lot better for my body,” Baker said. “It strengthens my knees.”

Baker got a feel for mountain bike riding at an early age, when she rode on the back of her dad's bike until she was strong enough to have her own bike.

“She would hold onto my neck,” her father, Steve, said.

When she was older and got her own bike, she would go out with her family and they would ride in the Nevada Irrigation District ditches.

“Just being together with people — in nature and the environment — on really cool trails is great,” Baker said.

Jones-Rogers said she is happy the first recipient is someone so “humble” and “sweet.”

“Everyone supported picking Christa,” Jones-Rogers said.

As part of the award, Baker also received a $100 gift certificate to the Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop, which Rogers founded with his friend Ron Miller before they had entered their teenage years.

Baker hasn't spent the certificate and isn't sure what she'll use it for yet.

“I'm kind of savoring it,” said Baker. “Maybe, I'll get a heart rate monitor.”

Her coach and teammates already saw her heart at every meet.

“She's a truly inspiring person in her work ethic and all around attitude,” Newman said.

It's that attitude that Newman sees, and Jones-Rogers knows, that aptly represents the award's namesake.

“He loved cycling and anytime he could get someone involved in it, he would,” Jones-Rogers said.

In addition to the award, Jones-Rogers has handed out stickers, encouraging drivers to avoid distractions and has lobbied the state for stricter penalties for careless driving.

Chicago Park resident Patricia Hernandez is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, stemming from Rogers' death. Her next scheduled appearance is set for Aug. 9 for an early status conference in Placer County Superior Court.

Contact Sports Writer Greg Moberly via e-mail at gmoberly@theunion.com or by phone at 477-4234.