Port Hadlock teen takes gold twice in state, regional BMX races

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Chimacum High School senior Chase Schweitzer is not only BMX racer, but a great one at that. The teen has won two first-place medals in recent BMX race events.

Schweitzer won first place at the Washington State BMX Finals in Spokane on the weekend of Sept. 18-19, then won gold again at the Northwest Regional Gold Cup Finals the weekend of Sept. 25-26.

“BMX” stands for bicycle motocross, and the races involve riders speeding across asphalt and/or dirt terrains riding as fast as possible to the finish line. The sport derives from motocross, and became an Olympic sport in 2008.

Schweitzer was introduced to BMX racing around three or four years ago at a friend’s birthday party at the Lincoln Park BMX track in Port Angeles, and has been devoted to the sport ever since.

“I went and kind of just knew that that’s what I wanted to do,” Schweitzer said. “I’ve always ridden bikes; it’s natural for me.”

Schweitzer found his niche in BMX racing and has dominated in the sport ever since, winning plenty of gold medals along the way.

“The team sport thing was never his style. He’s an individual; he’s very independent,” said Tanya Schweitzer, Chase’s mother.

“I think BMX has been a lifesaver for him, it keeps him out of trouble and it just gives him a different direction,” she added

The teen makes a two-hour round-trip to the BMX track in Port Angeles every Tuesday and Thursday to race or practice for upcoming events.

Although he spends a lot of time on the track, Schweitzer also works part-time, attends tech school, and goes to high school.

“It gets very busy. He still has to keep up with school,” his mother said.

Regardless of all of his responsibilities, BMX racing is what the teen lives for, she said; “He’s very very passionate about it.”

With such a busy schedule, it’s a marvel how he is so proficient at BMX racing, but somehow the teen juggles numerous responsibilities while remaining one of the best BMX racers of his age group in the Pacific Northwest.

Although he likely won’t be able to compete at the national level yet due to his work and school responsibilities, Schweitzer hopes to attend the national BMX racing events next year after he graduates from high school.

“I’d like to do BMX full-time,” Schweitzer said.