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Spencer Rosko of Airdrie competed at the CCA National Championships in Abbotsford, B.C., Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Rosko, 17, who is in fourth year of competing in BMX, won his first National title in the 17-24 expert category. He competed at a prior national competition and placed seventh, but missed two other rides due to a broken shoulder. Rosko and Chase Kelln, 15, recently began working with Coach Barney Brown in preparation for a winter of training in Olds. Kelln won his fourth straight national title in Abbotsford. He previously won in Kingston, Ont., in 2009; Airdrie in 2010 and St. Augustine, Que., in 2011 in the 15 expert category. Kelln and Rosko also won individual provincial titles, as did Chestermere's Daina Tuchscherer. Tuchscherer won an national title, but failed to podium at Worlds in May in England.

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Local BMX riders bring home titles

A trio of Rocky View BMX riders ushered in the end of the season by bringing home the top awards of the sport.

For Chestermere’s Daina Tuchschere, her third consecutive Worlds appearance didn’t go how she planned.

The 15-year-old previously competed in Victoria, B.C., and Copenhagen, Denmark, where she placed second and third respectively.

She was hoping to top the podium at this year’s competition in Birmingham, England, but a rough start to the weekend kept her from achieving her goal.

Tuchscherer crashed during a practise run, breaking her finger and her hand in three places.

She continued to compete, but the injury made steering difficult.

“It’s hard because you can’t grip the handlebars,” she said.

“I’d be pulling up on my bike and I’d go lopsided because I couldn’t hold on with one hand. I was a little bit disappointed, but at least I made it the semis.”

A few months between Worlds and the final two events of the summer gave Tuchscherer time to heal and she was able to rebound and place first at the Calgary Grands and Provincial Championships, which were held Sept. 8 and 9, and CCA National Championships, which were held Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 in Abbotsford, B.C.

The National title was special for Tuchscherer. She missed the 2011 race, as it was held only a week after the Worlds race in Denmark.

“It was a huge relief (to win Nationals),” she said.

“I didn’t want to be stuck with an AB1 (provincial) plate, and it was awesome because I was able to beat somewhere I’ve never beat before. I got to show everyone what I’ve learned and I use it as a way to show my parents how much I’ve improved.”

Two Airdrie riders also had successful runs at Provincials and Nationals. Fifteen-year-old Chase Kelln won his fourth consecutive national title whereas 17-year-old Spencer Rosko won his first national plate.

It was only Rosko’s second time at the competition. as he missed the other two with a broken shoulder.

“It’s only my fourth year of BMX,” Rosko said.

“The first year I decided to join and have some fun. I got hooked onto it and started training a little bit more. I trained my butt off basically won Provincials and Nationals. It was awesome.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into it. It was a bit overwhelming, but I did what I needed to do and came away with a win.”

With the summer season over, Kelln and Rosko are set to spend the winter training at an indoor facility in Olds in preparation for next season.

“We’re going to train there all winter and be ready for next season,” Kelln said.

“Worlds are in New Zealand next year and that would be a good experience. We need to keep up with our training and work really hard at the facility.”