Our local BMX Club continues to make a name for itself not only a local level but on the National stage as well.

Twenty riders from Cochrane headed east to compete in the 2019 Toronto Canadian Championships, and their results were phenomenal. 

Speaking on behalf of the experience, Rhonda Laurell shares our local club had a good contingent of riders attend Nationals, considering Cochrane represented 20 of the 146 riders from all over Alberta. "They all did incredibly well. They battled the crazy heat wave and humidity that they're not used to riding in, as well as, the intense competition from riders all across the country and on a supercross track that was built for the Pan Am Games."

Putting in two to three days of practice dressed in gear to prepare for Saturday's (July 6) race day helped, shares Laurell, as our riders (especially this year) are not used to riding in that type of heat and humidity. While some riders attending Nationals are blessed to have the ability to ride all year long or have a longer riding season, Mother Nature has not been kind to the Cochrane Club. "Our kids are competing against riders that train on the west coast and who's season is just longer (usually March to end of October), where we're looking at more of a May to the beginning of September season; then take out the bad spring we have experienced and we are already at a bit of a disadvantage."

With our riders really only getting in 5 to 6 weeks of practice this spring before heading to Nationals, Laurell says the racers had to really turn up the heat at home to prepare. "They had to work really hard for the six weeks leading up to get prepared in any way to compete at that level. So for 13 of them to come home, having made the top eight in their category, is pretty impressive given the less riding and training our kids had in comparison to riders from Quebec, Ontario and BC."

With that being said Cochrane BMX brought home thirteen National Plates in total, had six podium finishes and three came back as National Champions. "We had five, eleven-year-old boys attend, and four came back with eight of the top spots in the country; that is something we are so proud of as a club. I think it speaks pretty highly of our riders skill level as well as what our Club has been able to give them in terms of support. We are pretty proud of the whole picture, not just the racing and the results, but all the things that are in place that allow our kids to do what they do and experience the success that they're having."

Hailey Laurell became a two time National Champion last Saturday and was named top rider in Canada for 9-year-old girls. When asked how the competition went and what she found tough, Hailley says, "the humidity and heat," and although she gets a little nervous on race day, she says "I just envision myself on the track, and if I win or lose, it doesn't matter. I like it that my friends are there."

Experiencing his first National Race, six-year-old rider Spencer Faupel, says "It was really good. I got to ride the biggest start hill I have ever seen in my life." When asked what his friends would say, Spencer, answered, "Great job -except for Claire she would not say that."

Also returning to Cochrane as a National Champion, Jaxson Ross, eleven, says while he has competed at Nationals before he has never placed in the top three. "This is something new. The last time I went to Nationals I got fifth and the year before I got seventh." The competition was pretty tough, shares Jaxson. "There were some pretty fast kids." Looking forward to heading to Worlds in Texas next year, Jaxson is hoping to bring home a W Plate.

Even though some riders didn't return home with a coveted National Plate, Laurell says they should all be very proud. "They all went out and rode with everything they had to give despite challenging heat conditions, on a new track, and against some pretty stiff competition. We are proud of them all for going out there and pushing beyond their comfort level to see where they fit amongst the best racers in Canada."

A National Plate is the highest ranking plate riders can get here in Canada, and all those that walked away with a top 8 finish are automatically qualified for World Championships in Houston in May 2020. 

Laurell believes in total there were 404 racers competing at Nationals which translated into 456 race entries from riders across Canada. 

Congratulations to all racers and below is a list of riders that brought home a National Plate and how they ranked:

  • Haylee Laurell N1
  • Jaxson Ross N1
  • Brian Otterson N1
  • Caleb Graham N2
  • AJ Laurell N3
  • Spencer Faupel N3
  • Ashtynn Forsberg N5
  • Mason Pike N5
  • Kaylie Davis N5
  • Grace Soyka N5
  • Solvay Semmens N6
  • AJ Laurell N6
  • Joshua Hagel N7