P. Ridenour Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Pottstown’s own Payton Ridenour is off to Tokyo to compete in the Olympics.

Acquaintances, relatives, and old friends were all present.

Some she hadn’t seen in years, and some were brand new acquaintances.

P. Ridenour Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

On Monday night, everyone in Pottstown gathered at Trilogy Park BMX Track to cheer on Payton Ridenour.

As a first-time Olympian representing the United States, Ridenour returned to her home track on Monday to receive one more sendoff before leaving for Tokyo on Wednesday to compete in the Olympic Games in BMX Racing.

Ridenour, a resident of Pottstown who will graduate from Owen J. Roberts in 2020, expressed gratitude to all in attendance. “It’s great to see so many people showing their support by coming out today. A crowd of that size was completely unexpected.

Trilogy Park began in 2004, and Ridenour’s dad, Keith, has been a regular rider there ever since. Around the age of 5, Payton started riding with him, and she hasn’t stopped since.

Glen and Cathy Knapper, who run the track at Trilogy, have seen Payton develop into an Olympic champion.

The Knappers and the Pottstown Borough Parks & Rec Department organised Monday’s celebration so that locals could show Payton’s efforts what they’re worth.

The fact that she “grew up at the track” and achieved what she did is “simply a fantastic feeling,” as Glen Knapper put it. The local kids don’t get to see her as much these days, but when they do, she’s just Payton to them. But it’s great that they came to cheer her on and send her off on a positive note. … Getting here was easy because the railroad was right there. But she got there because of her persistence.

Ridenour spent the evening posing with fans in front of her motorcycle and signing autographs.

Glen Knapper, Pottstown Park & Rec Director Michael Lenhart, Fifth Ward Council President Dan Weand, Mayor Stephanie Henrick, and state Rep. Joe Ciresi all grabbed the microphone on Monday to congratulate Ridenour on her achievements, and she stopped what she was doing for a moment as they spoke.

For Lenhart, it was Crucial that the Crowd Show their Support for Payton before she left Town.

On Monday night, the Trilogy track was swarming with young racers, many of whom recognised Ridenour from her time at the club. Some spectators even lined up in between circuits to get the local BMX star’s autograph and take a selfie with him.

Joe Speyerer, a native of Birdsboro, gave Ridenour a bike and encouraged her to “Race Fast!” in the Olympics before leaving her table with an autograph.

Another young local rider, Oliver Kosmalski of Malvern, received a signed copy of Ridenour’s book “A to Z: BMX Style” after wishing her well.

The racetrack is a common place for Kosmalski to see her, he claimed. The coolness of it has been praised: “… When I wished them success and enjoyment, I said… That’s as big as it gets without going to the Olympics, man.

Peter Kosmalski, the father, chimed in, “It’s a local track, we come here all the time, and we never really thought we were in the presence of something like that.” “It’s really neat and a lot of fun,” he said.

Along Ridenour’s road to the Olympics, many people dropped by to send their best wishes.

Mike Kuzmission, a Green Lane resident who raced with Keith and Payton early in her career, turned up in the jersey of the first racing team that Ridenour founded, Evil Endustries.

Kuzmission, who has been watching Ridenour’s career, has been impressed but not shocked by her success.

It was obvious from watching her grow up, Kuzmission added. It was awesome to watch her develop her skills so quickly and so dramatically. Being a part of it and seeing it unfold was a fantastic experience.

The owner and founder of BikeSport in Trappe, and Ridenour’s original sponsor, Jinny Politz, was also present to show her support as Ridenour prepared to go for the Olympics.

“It’s a little overwhelming because those small kids out there, that was Payton,” Politz remarked on Monday night as he pointed to the children going around the track at Trilogy. What this centre provides to youngsters who otherwise wouldn’t have any is quite remarkable. Not many markets are open to them.

As Keith Ridenour looked around the room on Monday night, he realised that many of the people there had been instrumental in getting his daughter to the pinnacle of her sport.

As her father, Keith Ridenour, put it, “if you want to be extraordinary, you should be among exceptional people,” and she has done just that her whole life.

Payton is well aware of this, which is why he took the time on Monday to express his gratitude to everyone involved before leaving for Tokyo to pursue even greater success.

Conclusion

Payton recalled, “It all began when I was five years old and my dad took me to the BMX track.” Thanks to the Knappers for providing the track and to all the volunteers who have worked so hard this year to make my goals a reality.

I couldn’t have done it without them and the rest of the people who have been on my side. Thanks for read our Article P. Ridenour Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.