DURANGO – After a summer of competition, excitement peaked at the Durango BMX Track on Sunday, Aug. 31, as two dozen Cortez BMX riders proudly represented the Four Corners BMX community.
Seven riders captured a total of 10 state titles, while another seven earned top-10 finishes in their respective categories. Riders from Cortez, Dolores and Mancos filled the heat sheets, ranging from youth to adult divisions.
Three riders claimed multiple titles: Lavender Blacow won both the Cruiser and Expert competitions for riders ages 15–16; Eli Hall took first in both the 9-year-old Expert and Cruiser divisions; and Dustin Kelso earned top honors in the 31–35 Novice/Intermediate and 26–35 Cruiser races.
Cedar Blacow won the 10-year-old Cruiser division; Grady White took the 17–20 Cruiser class; Heikki Hall won the 36–40 race; and Aaron Pawlicki claimed the 41–45 Novice/Intermediate category.
In addition to the state champions, Bryson Higman placed in the top five in two categories, finishing runner-up in the 13-year-old Novice/Intermediate and fifth in the Cruiser race. Andrew Lewis was runner-up in the 46–50 Novice/Intermediate division, while Randy Rodd took second in the 56-and-over Novice/Intermediate class.
William White placed third in the 16-year-old Cruiser class, matched by Davien Pawlicki’s finish in the 17–20 race. Jack Stanley earned fourth in the 13-year-old Novice/Intermediate race, and Blake Jones also took fourth in the 15-year-old Novice/Intermediate division.
Cortez BMX operates under the umbrella of USA BMX and runs at the Baxter Family Track at Parque de Vida throughout the spring and summer. Along with Tuesday practices, Cortez BMX held races on Mondays and Saturdays, giving local riders opportunities to enjoy the sport recreationally and prepare for regional competition..
