Page 26 - GRIT-83

COOPER WEBB
450 MX / 7TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> The Michigan Wolverines have been a storied franchise in multiple genres, leaving their mark on the college sports atmosphere forever. A team that manifests true grit and intensity, they place their best effort forward, regardless of what critics say. Like this year, looking back at the NCAA nal four; many wrote them off as an after thought to begin the event, by the end however, everyone knew just how legitimate they were. Cooper Webb wants to relish in that same mindset, as there have been times where he’s simply been looked over. But he realizes that the platform of the Red Bud National, is a place where he can show out, and he be recognized for his accomplishments. His practice sessions were true testament to that, as he simply through caution to wind from the get-go. Not in a reckless manner, but he truly launched everything in sight, within the initial moments.
It was all he could to control this bit of rage he had, and he would harness it with over jumping and throttle pinning of all facets. Satis ed with his efforts, he moved onto the gate for moto number one, con dent. Immediately off the line, the pack looked to cut left, but he was one of the few to hold his ground. Placing his claim as a top ten rider, he hov- ered amongst the best, as the moto fell into the toughest portion of laps. It was towards the middle of the race, where he found himself getting into a tad bit of lull; quickly, he snapped out of it, and immediately burst the latter portion; leaving Weston Peick in the dust. Content with longevity, he nodded with reassurance as he came across the check- ered ag, eager to begin moto two. Avoiding the carnage of the rst lap, to an extent,
he came around the opening ag in sixth. It was time to make moves, he couldn’t wait around for someone else to motivate him. He eyed the pack ahead, and sprinted as he felt his heart rate rise. Hitting the outbound double, he slowly let his clutch hand release, knowing that he had to savor his grip until the end. With Kyle Cunningham slowly coming into close proximity, he knew the charge must be put on, in order to come away with a strong nish. He was absolutely killing the double-left handed corner before the leave, generating enough power initially to launch the nal triple. Taking one last big breath,
the checkered ag was just a few, short feet away. Seventh place was his, accumulating seventh overall.
26 GRITMOTO • JULY 1, 2018