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FF boy making noise in BMX [UPDATED]
Published 11:12am Friday, July 8, 2011 Updated 11:36am Friday, July 8, 2011It isn’t very often that Fergus Falls has a teenage athlete competing at a national level. Zach Tossett is not only competing in national events, he has a real shot at finishing first in the nation for 14 year old boys in BMX racing.
Zach took fourth in the nation last year for 13 year olds, and this year he thinks he can do even better.
“I have way more confidence than I had last year,” said Zach. “I’ve been beating the three guys who finished ahead of me last year.”
Zach already has three first place finishes in national events, and he hopes to get at least three more.
The national rankings are based on a point system. There are 28 national races, and each racer takes their top six finishes and their finish at the national championship to determine their national ranking.
“If Zach gets six first place finishes, he will be in a great position to take number one in his age group,” said Zach’s father Mike Tossett.
BMX has taken Zach all over the country, said Mike. He has raced in over 20 states and he’s only 14.
Zach raced in Salt Lake City last weekend where he competed against some of the best 14-year-old racers in the world. After taking second place on Saturday and first place on Sunday, Zach caught the eye of an Olympic coach who invited him to Chula Vista California to train with U.S. Olympic coaches and athletes in August.
“I really want to make it to the Olympics,” said Zach.
He will be old enough to qualify for the Olympic team in 2016 when he’s 19, said Mike.
Zach will race in St. Cloud this Saturday and Sunday before flying to Las Vegas on Wednesday to chase another national first place finish.
The season will conclude on Thanksgiving week in Tulsa Oklahoma where the National Championships will be held.
“I’ve had a great season so far, but I couldn’t have done all of this without the help of my parents and grandparents,” said Zach.
He also gives credit to his sponsor, Factory Speedline/Supercross BMX.
