GILBERT, Ariz. — Dozens of BMX riders and sports fans roared with excitement on Friday as they cheered on two Arizonans competing for the USA BMX Olympic team.
The watch party was hosted by Gilbert at Beer Barn and endorsed by Olympian Cameron Wood who lives in Peoria.
Colin Stiles, former BMX rider and fan, joked BMX was a good reason to drink a beer before 11 a.m. and said both Cameron Wood and Delany Vaughn, a Tucson native, were bound to go far in the sport.
"Cam Wood is originally from Montana and decided to move to Arizona to chase BMX," Stiles said. "He made the main event at the Olympics. He battled through a lot of injuries this year and coming up in L.A. four years from now, watch out for Cam Wood."
Stiles also mentioned that Delany Vaughn has BMX in her blood.
"Her parents Julie and Kirk Vaughn run a track down in Tucson for 20 years, so she was born at the BMX track," Stiles said. "She's really turned it up this year and got really close to making the main event this year."
Andy Contes, who is the 2024 World Champion for the 46 to 50 Year Cruiser Class said it takes sacrifice to prepare for a national competition.
"Family and commitment and time. These athletes are traveling a month ahead of time to travel out to the tracks, they're taking time out of their own lives," Contes said. "I know the nervousness, I know the tension. I know the joy of being in the sport, and it's just going to be awesome for them."
George Vick with USA BMX said both Wood and Vaughn work with their organization on a monthly basis and noted they've both shown good growth over the past few years.
"It's awesome to see them accomplish their goals," Vick said.
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