BELDENVILLE — Wyatt McGrath, a 17-year-old from Beldenville, is no stranger to the big stage. Meet after meet, McGrath faces some of the toughest motocross competitors in the world, and Loretta …
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BELDENVILLE — Wyatt McGrath, a 17-year-old from Beldenville, is no stranger to the big stage. Meet after meet, McGrath faces some of the toughest motocross competitors in the world, and Loretta Lynn's AMA National Motocross Championship was no different.
The event takes place in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., at the site of late country singer Loretta Lynn’s ranch. While there is no shortage of natural sights to see at the ranch, it also presents the challenges nature brings along for the ride.
It was McGrath’s eighth time competing at the annual event and was one of the top performances he has ever posted, landing in third place in the 450B class and 11th in the 450B Limited class.
With a heat index of over 110 degrees and McGrath needing to race in six separate races (three per class), it came down to having the endurance to last. The races last about 20 minutes each, so there is no shortage of exerted effort.
McGrath said the hardest part of the event is getting there in the first place, as area and regional qualifiers can feature some stiff competition.
“There’s a lot of people that try to qualify for it and it’s a big deal,” McGrath said.
After eight years racing at the major event, McGrath said this finish trails only the time he won 10 years ago in terms of top performances.
McGrath knows it takes a lot to get there in the first place, and is proud to do so while representing western Wisconsin on a national stage.
“We all take our big group picture with everybody from Wisconsin that made it,” McGrath said.
For McGrath, it all started as a hobby sparked by family early in his life.
“My dad, he always raced as a kid and got me into it at a super young age,” McGrath said.
Finishing third in the nation is not something McGrath takes lightly, as it is one of the more meaningful events he has ever participated in. Facing the best in the nation, McGrath showed everyone what he can do when it matters most.
McGrath is now focusing on the next few events ahead including state championships and another national tournament, this time in Florida over Thanksgiving.
