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Show rrT''"Tnlhfci Riding high, "Sky-High Schyter" Howell, only 9 years old, is challenging riders twice his size as he moves into an advanced 80cc Junior Division next year. The determined youngster practices daily on his home track at Hillcrest Sports in Escalante getting get-ting ready for a return to Salina where he got off to a rough start in his first competition. Look out, Salina! Here comes Schyler! "Sky-High Schyler," Is Escalante's Littlest Motocross Winning Wonder ESCALANTE Nine-year-old Schyler Howell has just completed com-pleted his first year of Motocross, quite an accomplishment for a boy his age, but even more remarkable considering the chal- lenges he faced in reaching that goal. Santa Claus brought him his first dirt bike, a Honda Z50, which he outgrew within months. Soon to follow was a Honda XR80, which was large and bulky. He amazed the adult riders in his area even then. Schyler's parents, Rick and Sunia Howell, constructed a mini-motocross mini-motocross track on their 7.5-acre property which he rode almost daily, honing his skills. Soon after his 9th birthday, Schyler expressed an interest in racing, so his parents purchased his first race bike, a Honda CR80, but Schyler was about six inches too short to ride it. Even after the suspension was lowered, his legs just wouldn't reach, but if someone some-one held the bike while he mounted, he could ride! Schyler quickly mastered his home track, executing all the doublejumps with ease. Three weeks later he participated partici-pated in his first race at Salina. It was a Wild West Nationals Race, where racers from states all over the west participating. As Schy ler stood on six-inch wooden blocks at the starting gate, he realized that the other 15 or more riders were all much older and bigger, in fact, most were almost twice his size and age. He felt dwarfed at the starting line with his fellow 80cc Beginner riders. Devastation, heartbreak and tears would be his first experiences experi-ences in the sport, as he crashed and fell in all four races, placing last in both motos. Schyler just became more determined and he headed for Elko, Nev., where he placed 8th and stayed in the top 10 every race thereafter. Thousands of miles would take him to races at West Jordan; Pocatello, Ida.; Price and Ogden; Las Vegas, Nev.; Cedar City, three times; Rupert, Ida.; and Rock Springs, Wyo. Two weeks ago, 30 miles into the deserts of Green River, Schyler Schy-ler completed a grueling 26-mile race through the sand, rock and desert. He would receive his first trophy. Motocross is a costly sport, . (See SCHYLER on Page 6A) "Sky-High Schyler,"Is Escalante's Littlest Motocross Winning Wonder From Front Page one that prevents many children from achieving the success they'd like to. Not counting the cost of the bike itself, race fees average $300 per race. A rider racing each weekend spends about $1,000 a month. Schyler is currently cur-rently sponsored Hillcrest Sports, Escalante; Cedar Ridge Sports, Cedar City; and Jorgensen's Honda of Richfield. He is looking for additional sponsors for next year. A week ago, he got a second bike, a Kawasaki KX60, which now races in addition to his CR80, placing 6th in his first race. Mid-season, it was apparent that "Sky-High Schyler" was the one to watch in his class. He could out-jump all his fellow riders, successfully executing 60-foot 60-foot doubles. Schyler will be moved up to an advanced 80cc Junior Division next year. Watch for 911 on the starting line, the littlest kid. He'll be "experienced" then. His feet still won't touch the ground, but where his feet won't reach, his heart and desire to win will. |
