Wauchope High School has produced many top flight sports men and women.
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Next off the production line is 15 year old Ryan Williams, who has just returned from the state titles where he finished a highly creditable sixth.
Ryan races BMX for Manning Valley BMX Club as this is the club closest to their Wauchope home.
That commitment means Ryan travels to Taree each Wednesday night for club meetings between January and October.
He also travels extensively throughout NSW attending and competing in state series or open events.
He has also competed in a number of national series events this year.
His mum Ruth Williams says Ryan raced in the BMX Australia Nationals in Bunbury WA in March this year.
“Unfortunately Ryan was disqualified in the quarter finals making fourth place,” she said. “The unfortunate part of racing being forced over the line causing relegation.
“It was great experience however.
During the six state series round Ryan finished in fourth position against some 40 riders of his age.
- Ruth Williams
“During the six state series round Ryan finished in fourth position against some 40 riders of his age.
“The final event is the BMX NSW state titles which happened over the long weekend.
“The riders are all racing to be the top eight in their age group gaining a BMX NSW Plate.”
Twenty nine riders raced with Ryan finishing with two seconds and a third. This placed him in the semi finals where he took fourth place.
In the finals, Ryan competed against the best riders in the 15 year age group, Mrs Williams said.
“The gate dropped and Ryan unclipped from his pedals coming last to the first berm (corner),” she said.
“He raced hard and eventually finished sixth in NSW and received his first State Plate for BMX NSW. The racing was extremely close with no more than three seconds between first and eighth placings.”
Ryan’s effort is even more significant given he does not have a coach or sponsorship compared with many of the other riders.
“Most of the riders are from areas where they have tracks and coaches close by,” she added.
Ryan says he would love to have a local track in the area.