When she was four years old, Kennedy Lutz hopped on a dirt bike for the first time. The bike was a gift from her father, Ken, who enjoyed the sport himself. Little did he know that 13 years later, his daughter would win a national women’s motocross title.
This summer, the 17-year-old girl from Yorkton won the Canadian Women’s East MX National championships.
She has competed, and won, at big events in the States, but the eastern Canada title was Lutz’s goal for a long time.
“It’s something that’s been a dream all my life, so when you reach that it’s obviously very rewarding,” Lutz said.
Although she’s from Saskatchewan, she decided to compete in the eastern nationals this year. The women’s nationals are split between the east and the west, and racers can only pick one series.
Her national title certainly didn’t come easily. Lutz splits her time between Yorkton and South Carolina, where she does her motocross training at Real Deal MX. While there, she lives with her trainer, Rob Buckhart, and his wife Sherry.
“We work out and ride bikes like five days a week,” said Lutz. “Most of the year I’m training, just because of the level that I’m at now. I’ve got to keep up with the competition. And got to be at the highest level.”
Lutz said she believes it’s her dedication and independence that helps her succeed in the sport of motocross.
“I’m just willing to do whatever it takes,” she explained. “I’ve always been good at my school work and getting it done on time, and I’ve always been a try-hard. I’m just motivated to get to work.”
Her coach of three years Rob Buckhart said it’s that, and more, that makes Lutz so good.
“One of the most interesting things about Kennedy is that she’s a hard worker. For the most part, she’ll outwork the boys,” said Buckhart. “I think overall, Kennedy is very much so an ambassador of the sport. She’s well spoken and she does her work. I think she’s the fastest girl in Canada, and I think she’s top five in the States.”
Buckhart explained how difficult the training can be in South Carolina, where it’s hot and humid. They spend hours training each day, between being on the bikes and gym workouts, but he said Lutz does a really great job on those exhausting days.
The trainer said that winning a title is very difficult, and Lutz should be proud of her recent victory.
“I think it meant a lot to her – I think more than we know,” he said. “She’s a Canadian girl and to hang up that number one plate up, and to know that all your struggles - to fight through all the ups and downs and to be able to stand up there on that box – my wife and I are very, very proud of her.”
One of those struggles that Lutz faced was a torn ACL last year. The injury kept her off of her bike for nine months. Buckhart said he saw Lutz have some doubts about returning after her injury, but she pushed through and came back strong.
After her big win, Lutz took some time to relax at home with her family. But she’s already looking forward to what’s next.
“For the future, now that I’ve won the Canadian women’s nationals, I’d like to do the U.S. women’s nationals,” she said. “In the next couple of years I’d like go pro, and race the Canadian men’s nationals.”
Although Lutz is an independent athlete who is self motivated, her success wouldn’t be possible without a strong team backing her. Both Lutz and Buckhart agreed.
Lutz said that Schrader’s in Yorkton has been a huge part of her success.
“Rick Bradshaw at Schrader’s has done a lot for me since the beginning, and has done a lot for me along the way,” she said.
Buckhart gave credit to the man who handed Lutz that small dirt bike when she was just four years old – her father.
“Kennedy has a good team of people around her. But her dad does a lot,” said Buckhart. He explained that there’s a lot of sacrifice to get Lutz to where she is, especially when it comes to bouncing between Saskatchewan and South Carolina.
“Her dad has a lot to do with that, and where she’s at, and what she’s doing.”
