Sports | DrumhellerMail

Q&A with local motocross standout Zach Wood

zach wood dorva

Local up-and-coming motocross racer Zach Wood has been making a name for himself on the DORVAMX track and successfully competed at the championship series hosted in Drumheller this weekend.

Now in his second year racing competitively, Zach is hitting his stride in the junior class and seeing results on the track.

“It’s just the way he’s grown into the sport, the DORVA family is proud of him and kind of taken him under their wing,” said his mother Amy Wood.

“They’re impressed with how he’s developed. He can do tricks and jumps, tripling into things. He’s excelling hugely.”

DORVA organizer Brad Peake said Zach was a standout because he sees potential in his riding abilities.

“He always had that natural ability,” said Peake. “He maybe didn’t have the confidence in himself that we all did.”

The Mail had a chance to interview Zach prior to the races this weekend.

How old are you?

15.

What bike do you race?

2015 Kawasaki 250f.

What would be your dream bike?

2017 Kawasaki 250f.

Who’s your favourite rider and what do you like about them?

Ken Roczen. He’s worked so hard and has become one of the leading champions of the racing industry.

How did you get started racing motocross?

All my friends got me into it and I liked it so much I decided to take it to the next level. I’ve been riding for 3 years.

Does motocross run in the family?

Power sports run in the family – motocross and quadding.

What is the best part of competing in your sport?

The competition and the adrenaline rush you get, and it’s just overall a fun sport.

What do you love about it?

The sportsmanship and the competitive competition.

What is the most challenging part of your sport?

Physical endurance.

How would your teammates and competitors describe you?

A fun person to be with on and off the track and puts the time and effort to get the results he wants.

What are your goals this season?

To become an all around better rider.

How long do you see yourself riding for? Hopefully till I’m 80.

Have you ever been hurt while riding?

Yes, but not seriously. I know it’s a matter of when I get hurt, not if I will get hurt.

How would you rate Drumheller’s track?

Fun and relaxed.

Dragons bring back affiliate van der Sloot

vanderSloot1

The Dragons have announced the signing of yet another player Tuesday, acquiring affiliate forward William van der Sloot for the upcoming season.

The seventeen year old from Medicine Hat returns to the club after posting two goals and two assists with for Drumheller in nine games, including one playoff game, last season.

“The Dragons provided me with a lot of opportunities to play last year and I enjoyed the high caliber, high tempo play,” he said in a release.

Van der Sloot, 6-feet and 187 pounds, played his last two seasons with the Edge School of the CSSHL, scoring nine goals and nine assists in 35 games with that club.

Coach Brian Curran said his performance and willingness to play where needed for the Dragons last year was a deciding factor.

“He plays the game smart and with a lot of skill, particularly in his stick handling and his ability to see the ice and make plays,” said Curran.

The Dragons will take on the Lloydminister Bobcats in their first home exhibition game on September 9.

On your mark, get set, go... Dino Half ready to run

HalfMArathon

This year’s DinoHalf Marathon is going to look slightly different than in 2015.

To start off, this year will only be holding 3 events, as opposed to four in previous years. The events will include 5K family fun run, a 10 kilometer run, as well as the half marathon, which is 21.1 kilometers.

This year the 10 kilometer run and the half marathon will be measured in Official Athletics Canada Length, so the course is being slightly changed.

“The half marathon takes a larger loop around downtown before heading out to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, and the 10 kilometer run is the length of Midland along the river. It has improved the ten kilometer quite a bit,” says organizing committee member Jens Madsen

So far, 200 participants have registered for the half marathon, which is ahead of last year’s registration.

“We usually have about one-third from Calgary, one-third from Drumheller and one-third from everywhere else. This year we have registrants from as far east as Winnipeg, as far west as BC and as far north as Fort McMurray,” says Madsen.

The proceeds for this event are being donated to The Badlands Community Facility and towards mental health.

The half marathon is set to take off on Sunday, September 11.

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