Whiz Kid of the Week: Grant Untiedt

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week:

○     Grant Untiedt, 13

○     Newtown Middle School

○     State champion in BMX for his age division

Grant Untiedt first learned about bicycle motorcross a little more than a year ago but it's safe to say he is hooked on the sport and excels at it.

The now seventh grader won first place at the Nutmeg BMX state championship races in Meriden on Sept. 25, placing at the top of his age group's rookie category.

The 13-year-old began racing in BMX after learning about the sport from a friend. It wasn't so much the bike that peaked his interest as much as it was the challenge, competition and the rush of being able to meet both on a race course.

"I really like the rush and the competition," Grant said. "I really like pushing it to the limit."

The key to his success is practice, he said, including participating in spinning classes during the winter off-season.

"I'm always trying to do better and better," Grant said.

He also enjoys performing some of the tricks that come with BMX, though he's suffered some injuries in the process, including a nasty knee cut.

"I kind of like that there is a challenge, there is always a risk," he said.

In addition to participating in some fall racing, Grant said his goal is to attend nationals in the spring to see how he compares with the best in the country.

"If you win that, you are No. 1," he said.