Bryson Rentie: BMX Rider
Twelve-year-old Carver Middle School student Bryson Rentie competed in the USA BMX Grand Nationals where he qualified for Mains, the final race of the event. Bryson got involved with riding through the USA BMX Foundation’s R.I.S.E. (resiliency, inclusion, social awareness and education) program, which was co-sponsored by the Terence Crutcher Foundation. R.I.S.E. is a three-month mentorship and education program in which children meet with BMX professionals and community leaders. They receive BMX coaching, general mentorship, STEAM education lessons and instruction on how to build their own bike.
TulsaKids: You were part of the R.I.S.E program. Tell us about that and what you learned.
Bryson: I learned that if you fall, you get back up and overcome your fears. We had mentors and speakers for a 6-week course last summer through the Terence Crutcher Foundation and BMX Foundation.
TulsaKids: What was the best part?
Bryson: BMX. It’s fun and fast-paced. It gives me something to do whenever I’m bored. I love riding a bike.
TulsaKids: Have you ever crashed or gotten hurt?
Bryson: I did crash because I wasn’t riding right and fell over. My feet came off the pedals. But I got back up.
TulsaKids: What is the best thing about riding the bike?
Bryson: BMX and winning. There are different classes. I’m a novice. I need to get six more wins to get to intermediate, the next level up. I got to go to Grand Nationals. It’s a big-time race in Tulsa every year. Every pro rider comes out and races. It was a fun and new experience for me, and I would definitely do it again. You can showcase your talent and you get a trophy. It’s the Super Bowl of BMX. It was an experience I won’t forget.
TulsaKids: How has BMX riding and being in R.I.S.E. helped you in other parts of your life?
Bryson: It has helped me be a leader and focus on what’s good rather than what’s bad. I’ve met a few people, and I’ve made some new friends. I see them at the track. I also feel more confident every time I go, and I just go as fast as I can.
TulsaKids: How does it feel when you lose? How do you handle it?
Bryson: When I lose, I contemplate on what I did wrong and the next race, I try to do better.
TulsaKids: Do you participate in any other sports?
Bryson: I play football. Corner and linebacker for Carver.
TulsaKids: What’s your favorite subject in school?
Bryson: Language arts.
TulsaKids: What advice do you have for kids who might want to try BMX racing?
Bryson: If you want to get into it, definitely try it. It’s a very fun sport. You’ll develop a feel for it, and you’ll get better. It’s a year-round sport. Don’t be scared to try new things.
TulsaKids: What are your goals for BMX?
Bryson: To reach intermediate at a certain level and then expert. Beyond BMX, I want to get into a good college and be successful in life. In the future, I may join the Air Force.
TulsaKids: What’s a fun fact about you?
Bryson: I’m not thinking any time soon about cutting my hair. And I speak a lot of Spanish.
Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years.
