Riding ‘round the world

When it comes to choosing a sport, many American kids would almost automatically think soccer, football, volleyball or, in light of the recent Olympics, gymnastics.

Beyond the standards, as New Life Academy junior Jon Atwell discovered, is unicycle riding. “I liked it because it jumped out at me. It was different from anything I’d seen before.”

In sixth grade, Atwell, of Cottage Grove, was introduced to the sport by a friend, and in eighth grade after seeing the sport performed again, he became a hardcore enthusiast.

Riding for three years now, he has competed in national competitions and this summer joined the international unicycling competitive circuit, competing in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Atwell is grateful for the encouragement and support he has received. He credits “God first, then my sponsor Joe Lind of Compulsion Cycles, and of course my family and friends.”

To view some of Atwell’s unicycle riding, visit www.youtube.com and search “Jon Atwell.”

Tags: faith, new, li e, academy, atwell, junior, unicycle