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The Canan Champion, Frida Septafber 24, 19W -3 jubilant Joel likes those BMX jumps By STEVE LeBLANO loi The Champion Milton's Joel Bouwman sure knows how to make a good first impression. The eight-year-old BMX racer delivered a sensational showing duning his inaugural appearance at the NEL Grand Nationals -advancing ail the way to the main event and placing eighth overali among four dozen age class competitors. His performance - which came in Michigan and Pittsburgh as well, earlier Louisville, Kentucky on the Labour Day this season. Weekend - was the best among nine Milton's Pearson brothers ýboth had local niders who made the tnip south for the exceptional efforts at thse Grand Nationals. annual granddaddy of rscing in North Brady, 5, took two seconds snd a third in America. motos and then a fourth in thse quarterfinals "Lt was pretty exciting to do thar. well," before placing fifth in thse semis and just said a stili jubilant Bouwman. "It was a missing a trip to thse main event. big, big course. The jumps were huge." Meanwhile, Kyle raced among the eight- Tise young racer - who hias two older year-olds and Iinished fifth in the quarters brothers in the sport - was consistently - fter tisree third places in the motos. impressive throughout thse weekend event. Asoavnigptpeimarrud He took two second-place finishes plus a copetitin wast I 4-eiar o nde thir inlui thee otos whch asiy qai-Brancier. In one of thse largest divisions at ified him for semifinal action. There, li he cmeiin ehdascn n w came from behînd to grab the fouirth andthrsorecteeitlssdnetee final spot in the finale - snesldng into a tooks t acth to e e bis rund ne h berth over the very last stretch. tO fth Mitond i Trcu 00 idr Bouwman's good fortune wouldn't quite incudilJaon Boac u20an odd % ~~~~~~~~continue in thse main event - but that cer- nldgJao Buw nT d tainly wasn't for lack of trying. He was Bouwman, Natasisa Brancier, Breanne tierce and focused the entire race, particu- Milîs, Mike Milîs and Bob Rowley- larly on thse jumpa which seem to be his failed to make it out of their motos. strong suit. Rowley, Canada's top male racer, Said the flrst-year rider, "Also, I'm a lit- crashed and injured himself in moto num- tde bigger than the average eight-year-old, ber two in tbe elite class . which helps a lot." The local pack will çompete at the Thse Grand Nationals marked the third provincial championships tomorrow in time in as many events that thse youngster Kingston. From there, they travel to New reaclued the main finals. He did so in York for next month's U.S. Open. Buffalo is gored by visiting Merchants Photo by GRAHAM PAINE MIton's Jool Bouwmnaf dispisys this towerlng.trophy he won for finishing eighth at the recent NBL Grand Nationals. By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The Mercbants shuffled off to Buffalo Monday - and then swaggered home with their third straight win of the year. A 9-5 decision, while not as convincing as the previous two victories, kept their unbeaten run going. After week one of regular season play, the local club is one of just four with perfect records in the 37- tearo Ontario Provincial Jr. A League. Veteran Mark Beisel paced the cross- border assault, scoring a second period Lightning. The 20-year-old left winger - who started coming into bis own during st spring's playoff mun and continues to pro- vide a lot of gnit with the checking line - tagged two powerplay goals along with the eventual game winner. Setting up his efforts with the extra attacker were defenceman Ryan Carrigan and newcomer Elliot Altberg, who regis- tered a total of three assista for the second ease MERCHANTS on page 24 EPlISODE 1 THEPHA TOMMENACE ReuIive The sftoYp ' Megic 550 Ontarlo Street 875-4890 Inclce oPersanal Pan Pizza (1ltopping) &Àlim ab *Kîds Sîze Drink "M"fi quantiu asz