Monday, Jun 30, 2025 10:44 AMUpdated Monday, Jun. 30, 2025 10:45 AM
Competitors prepare for the starting gates to be lifted on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Durango BMX will host title races on Aug. 31
CORTEZ – The weekly dedication from the Cortez and Durango BMX teams was put on full display, as athletes from each chapter of USA BMX turned in fast performances to qualify for the state championships.
On Saturday, June 21, dozens of riders of all ages took to the Baxter Family BMX track in Cortez for one of the defining competitions of the summer. The local athletes showcased their speed against some of the top riders from across the Western Slope while vying for a coveted place in Durango on Aug. 31, which will serve as the host site for the state championship races.
Among some of the top performances for Cortez riders, a pair of top 10 riders on the Cortez BMX points leaderboard took home top positions in their respective divisions as Ewan Hunt took top placement in the 16 Intermediate division, while Quincy Hunt placed fourth in the 13 Expert race.
Mancos’ Eli Hall earned the top finish in the 9 Expert division while Dolores’ Davien Pawlicki took second in the 17-20 Expert standings. Bryson Higman won the 12 Intermediate division, while Lavender Blacow took the 17-20 Cruiser race and Cedar Blacow took third in the 12 Cruiser race.
Heikki Hall took second in the 26-35 Expert class, Wes Spreicher took the 16 Cruiser race, and Riley Larkin took the top spot in the 8 Intermediate races.
Grady White finished atop the 17-20 Cruiser race, Carter MacNiven took top spot in the 12 Cruiser division, and Daniel Brown added a second-place effort in the 16 Expert race as more Durango and Cortez BMX regulars added to the list of strong showings.
The state championships in late August will wrap up the summer’s BMX festivities, and with several state qualifying races going on around the state, there will be several more opportunities for the field to expand in the coming weeks. For athletes interested in joining in, Cortez BMX is accepting new riders all summer long, with weekly Monday races kicking off at 6 p.m. and practices on Tuesdays as well.
For more information, interested participants can contact cortezbmx@gmail.com, or check out the Cortez BMX Facebook page.
Expert rider Tiegan Stiebel flies high as he looks to catch competitor Nathan Hulk Smash on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Youngsters prepare to take off for the “Striders” or “Balance Bike” race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Mila Devoy from Dillon strides down a hill during the 5 & Over Balance Bike race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
From left, Rhett Tabor, Camden Weimer, and Vincent Metoyer compete in one of the Balance Bike heats on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Camden Weimer from Durango eyes his competition mischievously before taking off down the final hill of his Balance Bike race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Competitors prepare for the starting gates to be lifted on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Racers descend down the starting hill on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
The Cortez BMX track includes multiple “rhythm” sections on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Nixon Padilla from Aztec, New Mexico looks down toward his destination on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
From left, novice riders Gunner Cupps and Madelynn Young embark on the first stretch of their race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Intermediate riders Julia Koskinen and Ronin Cox race neck-and-neck after the opening start on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Dustin Kelso stays laser-focused on the track ahead in one of the intermediate races on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Quincy Hunt catches some air as a cohort of expert riders make their way down the track on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Riders bend around a curve as they prepare for another rhythm section on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
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