Personal History
Hi, my name is Mavrik Gish. I’m an eight-year-old, small-town kid, from Purcell, Oklahoma. I began riding at the ripe ole age of four. You know how it goes…first you can walk, then you can talk, and then...you can ride! I started with tricycles and bicycles, and then came horses, later UTVs and ATVs, and finally motorcycles! I was hooked, and I couldn’t wait to start racing competitively.
However, in 2016, my life changed suddenly and drastically. I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, Type 1 Diabetes. Afterward, my family and I spent weeks, learning about diabetes and how to manage the disease. My “new life-style,” would consist of multiple insulin injection a day, and constant vigilance of my blood sugar level...needles and blood, every kid’s favorite thing, right?
Naturally, this was both scary and painful, but the worst part was the fear of not knowing if I'd be able to lead a normal life. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to play sports or participate in fun activities because of this, "disease." I mean, who wants to go to a birthday party and not be able to have a piece of cake? Or, suppose it's the last lap in the big race, and a low blood sugar causes your vision to blur, and you lose the lead.
BUT, I would not let fear or even my own body stop me from going after my goals.
In 2017, I completed my first year as a competitive racer. I enjoyed the freedom of being on my bike, and it “normalized” me. I wasn't, "that kids that has to take a shot every time he eats or drinks something.". I was just another kid going after the checkered. The fluctuating race-day schedules and physical demands of multiple motos made my diabetes management more challenging, but with the help of my family, they quite literally, kept me on the “right track.”
As I continue as a racer - I won’t give up, and I won’t back down – despite the challenges that arise. I hope to use future success as a means of promoting awareness and education about those living with Type 1 Diabetes!
Riding Goals
I hope to continue to improve, overall, in competitive racing. I've participated in cross country, motocross, and arenacross races. I want to be a strong competitor in all aspect of this sport. For the 2018 season, I hope to...
1) Attend more regional and national races - performing to the fullest extent of my ability.
2) Continue training, hopefully on a more frequent schedule, with Robbie Smith MX Training.
3) Qualify for KTM JR SX Supercross.
4) Attend area qualifiers, and fingers crossed, qualify for Loretta Lynn MX.
5) Continue making lifelong friends that share the same passion for this sport that I do.
I'm ambitious, but I think anything is possible - so long as you're willing to try your hardest.
Competitive Highlights
2017 Oklahoma Cross Country Racing Association
50cc C-Class Winner
50cc Overall Division Champion
Motoplayground AMA National
Ponca City MX
50cc (7-9) Limited
Participant with 60+ Competitors
50cc Open
Participant with 70+ Competitors
Christmas Shootout
Elk City MX
50cc (7-9) Limited - 1st Place
50cc Open - 1st Place
65cc Beginner - 2nd Place
Oklahoma Fall/Winter Series
TMX & AMP
50cc (7-9) Limited
50cc Open
65cc Beginner
Four 2nd Place Wins & Three 3rd Place Wins
Oklahoma Gold Rush Grand Prix
Okla. Gold Rush
65cc Open - 2nd Place
Nitro Arenacross Tour
Claremore Expo Center
50cc (7-9) Limited
Heat Race - 5th Place
Main Race - 8th Place
65cc (7-9) Limited
Heat Race - 3rd Place
Kicker Arenacross Tour
Lazy-E Arena
50cc (7-9) Limited
Heat Race - 4th Place
Main Race - 8th Place
50cc Open
Heat Race - 5th Place
Main Race Qualifier
AMSOIL Nighttime National
Oklahoma Motorsports Complex
51cc 7-8 Limited - 5th Place
51cc 4-8 Open - 5th Place
Oklahoma State Championship Series
RD 1 - Oklahoma Motorsports Complex
51cc 7-8 Limited - 2nd Place
51cc 4-8 Open - 2nd Place