While Parkes is well represented across sports like hockey, football and cricket, there's a small contingent of athletes lighting up the track in motocross.
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Four riders have returned from the 2019 King of MX NSW State Motocross Championships - one with a silver medal and selection on the NSW Junior Team.
The state titles were held in Nowra on June 8-10 that saw 12-year-old Danielle McDonald, 15-year-old twins Scott and Jake Green and eight-year-old Kye Kinsela compete.
All are members of the Condobolin Auto Sports Club.
Danielle had an exceptional weekend of competition, placing second in the state in the 85cc 12-15 Years class.
Her outstanding result saw her selected to represent NSW at the KTM Australian Junior Motocross Titles that were held in Gillman, South Australia from September 28 to October 4.
"We were stoked," mum Christine McDonald said.
"It was a close call - she was running third for a while there. That last race took her to second.
"It was just gutsy, she made some gutsy moves and had the determination.
"She was also competing against 15-year-olds."
Meanwhile the Green brothers from Peak Hill placed 20th and 21st in the state in the 15 Years Junior Lites section on their RMZ250s.
Unfortunately Kye did not finish because of an injury.
The Australian titles were Danielle's first nationals, which made way for a great learning experience for the junior.
"They were different, it was an eye-opener for her," Christine said.
Over the five days of competition, Danielle tallied three fourth places, two sixths and a seventh place in her age group.
At the end, the times are calculated and Danielle earned herself a fifth overall placing in the country.
"She was just two seconds off fourth," Christine said.
"It was very emotional for her but I told her this is amazing!
"There were 12 girls competing and her times were pretty good."
The national titles also allowed siblings to still compete and Danielle's 10-year-old brother Dylan McDonald had an opportunity to take part.
He placed 29th overall in the 65cc 9-13 years boys class.
The local riders have now finished up in the sport for the year, with Danielle turning her focus to competing again at nationals next year in June at Rockhampton.
Danielle and Dylan will also be competing in the off-road competition at NSW and Australian level, while the Green boys and Kye have been doing really well at regional competitions.
For Danielle, Scott and Jake - who all attend Parkes Christian School - their recent achievements were praised by the school's principal Glen Westcott in the school newsletter.
"In talking to the students about their recent accomplishments, what stands out is the fact that they didn't just wake up one day as motocross champions, it is the result of years of hard work, training, competing and crashing that has seen them get to this position," Mr Westcott wrote.
"It takes sheer determination to compete at elite levels in any sport, and motocross is certainly no exception."
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