BMX riding seems to run in the Masters family.
Cameron Masters of Lake Orion, a fifth-grader at Paint Creek Elementary School, along with his cousins Grant and Kyle Masters, is a BMX champion, recently winning first place at the National Grands in Kentucky and first place in the national competition for BMX rookie.
Cameron, 10, rides for Team Diamond, and has been racing for four years, on the national circuit for one year. He influenced his cousin Grant Masters of Metamora, and Kyle Masters of Clarkston, to get involved with the sport.
‘His uncle Bob Long, my wife Patty’s stepbrother, got him into it,? said dad Keith. ‘He introduced Cameron to the idea. He and his son do BMX riding, but they moved to Colorado.?
Asked what interested him about the sport, Cameron said ‘I like to ride my bike.?
His love of bike riding now takes him all over the country with BMX, competing in state, regional and national competitions.
Cameron rides on the dirt circuit, a 1,500-foot track, some inside and some outside, with big berms.
Competition is separated into age and experience levels. Cameron’s team, Team Diamond (www.teamdiamondbmx.com), is sponsored by Diamond Cleaners.
‘His uncle Gregg is now the state commissioner (for BMX),? Keith said. ‘So it really is in the family.?
Cameron took first competing in the national grands over Labor Day weekend in Kentucky, and was first in the national competition.
‘He tied with one kid going into the event,? Keith said. ‘He had to win the race to win first place.?
In the summer, Cameron said he is practicing just about every weekend, as well as a few times a week, either at Waterford Oaks or Richfield Park.
He said he looks up to fellow BMX rider Jason Lucius, of Lake Orion.
‘He’s helped me out,? Cameron said. ‘He’s also pro.?
When he’s not riding, Cameron still manages to earn all A’s at Paint Creek. His brother Connor, 6, is a national champion frog hunter.
‘Cameron has taken first place quite a few times, he does about a dozen national events a year,? Keith said. ‘Indiana was his first double perfect…When you get first place at grands, you get a plate to wear on your bike.?
Keith said BMX is a ‘neat sport to get the kids motivated.?
‘His confidence has really grown,? said mom Patty.
Cameron said he plans to keep riding BMX but isn’t sure if he wants to be a professional.
‘The kids wear a lot of safety equipment when they compete, a full helmet and padded bike,? said Keith.
‘But, as in any sport there are risks. He’s done his fair share of falls.?
Cameron said he also enjoys snowboarding and skateboarding, and is thinking about playing football.
Cameron’s cousin Kyle, 6, also on Team Diamond, is a first place national champion in the rookie class.
His cousin Grant is a two-time national champion.