Around 40 members of the Cochrane BMX Association were among the 520 riders who finished the season in Medicine Hat at the Alberta BMX Provincial Championships September 9th and 10th,  

"That's where all the hard work over the summer, all of the provincial races all come down to the Saturday and Sunday and everyone gets to earn the AB Plates and find out where they stand in the province," says Cochrane BMX President Brad Christensen.  

Even before the races started, Christensen says Cochrane put on a great show.  "We had the most riders our club has ever sent this year so a  lot of kids racing in their first year of BMX and their first provincials.  It was really good."  

Once the race gates dropped things got better.  Christensen explains, "We had a lot of kids come back with some excellent results.  Those kids going to attend and racing at that high level is what we're more happy about.  Seeing everybody come back with their trophies and all that good stuff.  It's a very exciting time."

Christensen says many of the Cochrane kids finished in the top eight in their events including three nine year olds, and brought home AB Plates.  Some riders stood out.   "14 year old expert Katie Scott came back with an AB One Plate,  so that means she's the best in Alberta for 14 year olds.  She's a strong rider and has had a great season and continues to lead a charge in that female division,"

Five year old Spencer Faupel also placed first and won an AB One Plate,  Christensen says, "It's just amazing to see kids at that age go around these tracks,  It's so fun to watch."

Other high finishes for Cochrane racers included seven year old Haylee Laurel who placed second in her division, Jonathan Kettle placed third out of 33 riders in the seven year old male division, Nathan Joshua Vlahakis, in the eight year old male division came in second out of 37 riders,

Brock Foster finished second among 11 year old males and Brian Otterson cashed in a third place finish in the male 40+ division.  

Christensen beams, "We've got a strong young group of riders in Cochrane."

For many Cochrane members, Medicine Hat was the end of the riding year.  Others want to go a little farther.  "A number of Cochrane riders are heading to Chilliwack for the Canadian Grands over the Thanksgiving weekend," says Christensen.   

This Saturday night, the Cochrane BMX Association will hold it's year end wrap up and awards presentation to celebrate a great year.