Sports
Whiz Kid: Matt Moore
Each week, Benicia Patch features individual kids, teens or youth groups that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about your amazing Whiz Kids.
This week's Whiz Kid: Matt Moore
Age: 15
School: Benicia High School
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Grade: Just finished ninth grade
Matt's accomplishment: Matt has been a downhill mountain bike racer for the past three years and has been competing for 18 months. The sport combines bikes, downhill speed and rocks so it's not for wimps. Older kids got Matt into racing at the age of 12. Businesses like USA Cycling, Northstar in Tahoe and Vital MTB host competitions. National competitions heat up as champions go on to world championships.
Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Matt has reached the Junior X level, the professional circuit for competitors under the age of 18. His next competition is the Northwest Cup in Mount Hood, Ore. on July 7-10. He gets plenty of support from his parents and Wheels in Motion, which sponsors him with jerseys. Matt acknowledges that it's a dangerous sport but has had only minor injuries.
The key to Matt's awesomeness: He says, “Just hold it wide and let it slide.” Translation for people born before 1990 — Go with the flow.
