Christopher and Julie Yuchasz of Groveland Township have three children who are excelling in BMX competition.
Evan, Aaron (A.J.) and Megan Yuchasz all take part in BMX, which stands for bicycle motorcross, a sport run on a track which is typically 1000-1440 feet in length, and holds a variety of jumps.
There are two sanctioning bodies for BMX races: the National Bicycle League (NBL) and the American Bicycle Association (ABA). Both organizations sponsor local, state, regional and national series. Riders can race in small locals or the biggest nationals. The races are held all across the country.
Here is a rundown of each of the Yuchasz youngsters? performance in BMX:
‘The oldest of the Yuchasz children, Evan, is a ten-year-old who recently earned his way to expert status. As a rookie, Evan was third in the nation and a state champion. As a novice, he was fourth in the nation and again state champion. In his three years of competing, Evan has won eight state qualifiers, five nationals and five regionals. He placed third in the main event at this year’s Grand Nationals held in Louisville, KY. He is a fifth grader in Ms. Coffey’s class at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School. He also plays hockey, baseball and skateboards.
‘Aaron is seven and recently advanced to the novice class. He took fourth in the main event at this year’s Grand Nationals and earned the number three national ranking. He was second in the Midwest Region for the second straight year, earning a letterman’s jacket for his Regional points along the way. He was also the #7 rookie state champion this year and won three Nationals, a Redline Cup qualifier, a Regional and a state qualifier. Aaron is a second grader in Ms. Harm’s class at H.T. Burt Elementary School. He also plays hockey and baseball.
‘Megan began racing in May of this year and won two races right off the bat. She was second in two state qualifiers and one regional. She races in the five-and-under rookie class and advanced to the girls? class on her birthday, Oct. 15. Megan earned the #12 National plate at the Grand Nationals, making it to the semifinals. She was #3 in the state and the only girl who qualified. She was the #1 winner at the Midwest Regional Championships held in Evansville, IN. She beat every girl she raced against all season. Megan is a kindergartner in Ms. Poole’s class at H.T. Burt. She also enjoys T-ball, dance, horses and soccer.
By finishing in the state’s top 15, the kids are qualified to represent Michigan in the President’s Cup Race in St. Cloud, FL in December. The kids have their own Web site, www.yuchaszsports.com, and a team site, www.teamdiamondbmx.com.