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ECC grad to compete in national tournament |
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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
 ECC graduate Brandon Kutsch glides through the air on his bike. Kutsch will compete in the amateur national tournament July 28 to Aug. 2 in Tennessee. By Joseph Bell Brandon Kutsch, a 21-year-old graduate from Elk County Catholic, is scheduled to compete in Loretta Lynn's AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships, held July 28 to Aug. 2 in Hurricane Hills, Tenn.
Kutsch, who resides in North Carolina, said riders must qualify to compete in the national tournament.
"You have to go through qualifiers and if you place in the top eight, you go to the regionals," Kutsch said.
In a qualifying race March 15-16 at Elizabeth City, N.C., Kutsch placed sixth in the standings, which was good enough to earn him a spot at the Northeast Amateur Regional, which was held June 7-8 at Steel City in Delmont.
"The regionals were at Steel City in Delmont and it's pretty much the only local area race I've done," Kutsch said. "I placed 14th as an alternate and then, with my point standings from other regionals and qualifiers, that bumped me up and I got in (to the national tournament)."
Looking ahead, Kutsch said the Loretta Lynn event is a technical and challenging track.
"It has 180 (degree) and 90 (degree) turns and you go up and down hills and valleys," Kutsch said. "The jumps can be anywhere from 50 feet to 100 feet. The track gets really tough."
Kutsch, who has been riding since he was eight years old, started racing in 1999.
"My dad used to race before me and he got my my first bike when I was eight (years old) and I've enjoyed it ever since," Kutsch said.
While some riders may feel jitters before such a prolific event, Kutsch said he feels confident.
"I feel pretty good about it. I moved to North Carolina in December to train and ride," Kutsch said. "I've put a lot of effort into it so I feel I should be pretty well set." |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 July 2008 )
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