Back-to-back titles for BMX tyro

BMX young gun Rachelle Smith beat a strong field of 17 nominees to be crowned the 2014 Myles Junior Sports Star of the Year at a function hosted by the City of Bunbury last night.

Rachelle was presented with a medallion, fuel vouchers and $500 in prizemoney.

The 17-year-old claimed back-to-back titles after another outstanding 18 months on the bike, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the UCI BMX World Championships in her first season competing in the junior elite class.

Rachelle also finished third at the Australian BMX Championships in April and second overall in the six-event National Probikx series to gain selection to the BMX Australia Talent Development Squad for junior elite women.

The BMX starlet is also the reigning back-to-back State Champion after reclaiming the WA title earlier this month.

Now the ninth-ranked junior elite female in the world, Rachelle still finds time to conduct weekly coaching sessions at the Bunbury BMX Club after gaining her accreditation last year.

Rachelle held off strong competition from runner-up Jake Harvie, a dual sport athlete who has represented WA at both hockey and cross country.

Jake, 16, was part of the under-15 WA State hockey team that finished second at the National Championships in Darwin last year and followed that performance with a bronze medal with the under-18 State team in April.

He was also vice-captain of a South West representative team that competed against other teams from around the State as well as Japan, Malaysia and NSW in a tournament in Perth, finishing with the gold medal.

Jake also coaches Year 1 and 2 minkey hockey and umpires in the South West competition as well as playing for Boyanup.

The rising star won fuel vouchers and a one year membership to the South West Sports Centre.

Other finalists for the award included Cassady Anderson (Netball/Basketball), Keeva Brooks (Dragon Boating), Jaiden Lanigan (Inline Speed Skating), Hannah Merritt (Cricket) and Jesse Willsher (Surf Life Saving).

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