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Airdrie's Chase Kelln (right) is pictured here competing at the 2012 BMX Nationals in Abbotsford, B.C., Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.

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Final BMX race brings in medals for Airdrie

Some reached the highest levels of the sport and some were just happy to be out riding.

Airdrie BMX wrapped up its summer with the 2012 Calgary Grands and Championships and the Alberta Cup, which was held in Calgary, Sept. 8 and 9. Airdrie riders as young as seven and as old as 50 brought home 13 first-,12 second- and nine third-place finishes, as well as 24 top-10 placements.

“It shows you where we stand as a group,” said Cam Northwood, who takes care of promotions for Airdrie BMX. “To see that many first, second and third (rankings) is fantastic. The nice thing, though, is that the older riders are racing on a bigger scale and performing really well, but also that other groups of kids are starting to shine. We’re seeing young riders (succeed) and more girls show up. We didn’t see that much before.”

In addition to sending a number of riders to Provincials, the club also sent riders to Nationals and Worlds and they came back with the highest national honours. Northwood said the level the riders are succeeding at is putting Airdrie on the map as one of the top riding clubs in the province and even in the country.

“You think the bigger riders would come out of the major city centres,” he said. “We’re a small community putting people on a bigger stage and they’re performing (on) that stage. Every time someone stands on the podium, it’s not just for the club, but for the town too. Calgary is a city of one million, but the rider base is almost the same as here.”

Northwood also attributes the club’s success to Airdrie’s track. The facility, which is located in Fletcher Park in the city’s west side, is open to competitive and recreational riders and the club has produced Olympians and world-class athletes.

“People always take it for granted,” Northwood said. “Our track is another reason we compete so well. If you can ride our track, you can ride anyone’s track. We’re so lucky to have this in our backyard and all these people competing all over the place. We have an amazing program.”

For a full list of provincial and national winners, visit www.airdriebmx.com