THE Blue Lake BMX Club had a fruitful weekend as riders pushed pedals with South Australia’s best in the 2018 State Titles held in Kadina.
Of the 22 riders who made the journey for the three-day event hosted by the Copper Coast BMX Club, 17 returned home with at least one state plate.
From those the best result saw young gun Jasmine Morgan show her skills on the bike to top her class and receive the prestigious number one plate for the 10 girls.
After placing second at the 2017 State Titles in the nine girls, the weekend’s result was a credit to the young rider who contiues to progress each season.
Other top results saw Lilly Jones take out the number two plate in the eight girls, while father Stephen Jones finished an impressive third in the masters men.
But Jones was more proud of the effort from the young riders than his own and said it was good to see his coaching put to good use.
“This year I have probably taken the focus off myself and put more effort into the kids with coaching and trying to help them along,” he said.
“It’s good when a lot of them who have not had plates before come home with a result.”
Another solid performance came from youngster Mercedes Scott, who claimed the number three plate in the 14-15 girls, along with an eighth place finish in the pro superclass women.
Also with a third place was Sheridan Picken in the eight girls – in addition to a fifth in the 8-10 cruiser – while Raine Scott rounded out the podium in the 13 girls.
Alistair Scott brought home two second place plates, in the 40-44 men cruiser and 40-44 retro, while Peter Jelleff found himself on the podium on two occasions, finishing third in both the 40-49 men and 40-44 men cruiser, plus a sixth in the 35+ open wheel.
All five members of the Scott family who race came home with state plates in an impressive family performance, while Jones mentioned some upcoming riders who also put in first-class efforts.
“Young Trae Wilke did an exceptional job, he got his first ever state plate,” he said.
“He got a fourth position out of 24 riders in his age group (12 boys).
“In the 13 year olds, Caiden Garrett got a sixth place, which was his first ever state plate.
“And Jye Smith in that same age group got an eighth place in the final.
“He got his plaster off his wrist the Wednesday before he went up there, so he recovered from a fractured wrist to race.”
He also mentioned Jaiden and Sheridan Picken, who claimed plates in both the cruiser and 20-inch classes.
With such positive results, the Blue Lake BMX Club was stoked to return home with a total of 24 state plates, from the largest representation it has had at the event for many years.
“It was awesome, I think it is probably the best return we have had from local riders coming home with state plates,” Jones said.
Jones said the event ran smoothly and the track was good, providing a challenge with its short and sharp jumps.
“The Kadina club is a very small club, so they put in a huge effort to get the event there,” he said.
“The surface was good and the jumps were quite challenging for some riders, different to what they are used to.”
Blue Lake riders will now turn their focus to the upcoming Victorian State Titles in three week’s time at Warrnambool.
Jones said he has “high hopes” for local riders and is eager to see Blue Lake bring home some more plates.
STATE PLATES
8 girls: Lilly Jones 2SA, Sheridan Picken 3SA, Vespa Scott 5SA; 8-12 girls cruiser: Cedar Scott 4SA, Sheridan Picken 5SA; 8-10 boys cruiser: Jaiden Picken 4SA; 10 girls: Jasmine Morgan 1SA; 10 boys: Jaiden Picken 7SA; 11 girls: Cedar Scott 6SA; 12 boys: Trae Wilke 4SA; 13 girls: Raine Scott 3SA; 13 boys: Caiden Garrett 6SA, Jye Smith 8SA; 14-15 girls: Mercedes Scott 3SA; 14 boys: Levi Jelleff 6SA; 16 boys: Kain Jelleff 8SA; 17-24 men: Cody Jelleff 4SA; 30-34 masters: Stephen Jones 3SA; 35+ masters open wheel: Peter Jelleff 6SA; 40-44 mens cruiser: Alistair Scott 2SA, Peter Jelleff 3SA; 40-49 men: Peter Jelleff 3SA; 40-49 retro: Alistari Scott 2SA; Pro superclass women: Mercedes Scott 8SA.
