Four Owego-Apalachin youth excel at NYS BMX State Championships

Four youth from the Owego-Apalachin area participated with their team, Ridin RevolutionS, based out of Champion Speedway BMX, at the New York State BMX State Championships held in Shoreham, Long Island on Sept. 22. All four had Top Ten finishes. 

Late last year, Althea Manville, now a third grade student at Owego Elementary School (OES), decided to check out a practice session at Champion Speedway BMX located at 227 Old Narrows Rd. in Owego, N.Y.

Encouraged by two friends to give it a try, Althea, the daughter of Leslie and Rob Manville of Owego, has, for the time being, set aside her ballet shoes to focus on BMX racing.

Leslie shared, “After that one practice, she was hooked!”

Althea, known on the track as “Allie Cat,” placed eighth in a 20-inch class bike race within her age and skill level, and where she brought home a state plate award.

In order to compete at the state level in Shoreham, Althea had to finish at least four qualifiers, yet actually completed six.

Also at the state finals were brother and sister, Calvin and Chloe Smith of Owego, who both started racing at the end of October last year. Calvin, age ten and in the fifth grade at OES, and Chloe, age eight and an OES third grader, competed in their respective 20-inch class bike races and 24-inch cruiser class races.

Calvin brought home a number one state plate in the class bike and finished fifth in the cruiser class. Chloe placed third in cruiser and had a sixth place finish in class bike. 

During the regular season, racers take part at Champion Speedway BMX as well as four or five other tracks within about a forty-minute drive from Owego. Once the winter months roll in, that doesn’t mean action stops.

Calvin and Chloe, who carry the nicknames “Money Man” and “Cricket,” join other racer friends in the off-season where they utilize Grippen Park’s facility in Endicott to keep active and their riding skills honed.  Calvin also plays basketball and Chloe takes equestrian riding lessons.

And, not only is winning or bringing home the lowest plate number a goal for racers, there are many more positive returns on the investment of dedication to the BMX sport.

Calvin and Chloe’s mother, Anne, commented, “My husband Jeff and I have seen our children’s confidence and abilities increase, and that translates to all areas of life.”

Anne further explained that the sport has reinforced the fact that it takes time to build skills, and that along with gains in physical strength and endurance; mental sharpness and focus on their performance are key elements, too.

“It’s a great family sport, too,” shared Kelli Denton, whose son, Ryan, age ten and a fifth grade student at Apalachin Elementary School, also competed at Shoreham.

“Flyin’ Ryan” as he is known on the track brought home a third place in the cruiser category and a sixth place in the class bike. Known as an expert rider after having achieved twenty or more wins, Ryan has been a BMX racer since July of 2016.

The Denton family, including Ryan’s father, David, will be traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma in November so that Ryan can compete in the USA BMX Grand Nationals, which will span three days over the Thanksgiving holiday. USA BMX encompasses six regions across the U.S., and participants can race locally or statewide as well as in regional, national and international series. 

“Ryan really enjoys racing,” Kelli said, adding, “It has boosted his confidence.” Ryan also finds time to play soccer.

The sport of BMX racing, fast-paced and exciting, draws ages four to adult.

Once the races are over, a high level of sportsmanship is expected, too.

“Win, lose or draw,” Anne remarked, “The expectation is that you fist-bump your opponents after the race, and that you are gracious.” 

Champion Speedway BMX is owned and operated by Rick and Margaret Decker. A family-run business, the Decker’s, along with their three sons and daughter, all race. 

For additional information, find Champion BMX on Facebook, or visit www.usabmx.com/tracks/1719.