What inspires you to compete?
One afternoon I was talking to my dad about sports and he mentioned to me that he had raced motocross when he was young. He told me how racing motorcycles had taught him about achievement, dedication, and responsibility. After talking about how physically demanding and exciting it was, I wanted to see for myself what it was all about. We went to a local race and I knew immediately that motocross was the sport for me.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment in motocross racing occurred right after a training session with Shaun Kalos. We had spent a lot of time working on starts and it had been drilled into my head how important a good start was. When the board went sideways at my next race, I was ready. My throttle was turned and my engine sounded like it was going to blow. When the gate dropped, I dumped the clutch, and, you guessed it, I rode my CR 85 up into the sky! By the time I got up and found my bike, the class was half way around the track. I was so embarrassed, I rode like the wind and passed at least three riders, hoping that if I didn`t finish last, no one would recognize me.
Why do you like this sport?
I enjoy motocross because it is always a challenge. I like to train and work on different skills and know that the effort I put in will show on the track. Winning is a great feeling, but even when that doesn’t happen, I know that I can work harder and maybe the next time, I will come home with a win. The other main reason I enjoy motocross so much is that I love the people I have met at the track. Many have become like family to me and nothing is more exciting than to bang bars on the track and then come back to the pits and hang out together!
Some Personal Information About Me:
I began riding with my dad in September of 2003 on a Honda XR100. Shortly after that, I started attending the motocross races and knew I wanted to race. A week after buying a Honda CR85R, I rode my first race. It was great!! Since then, I have competed in many local races and I have even qualified for and competed in some national events such as the Ponca City Grand National Championship. Besides being addicted to motocross, I am a good student and I consistently maintain a 4.0 GPA or better. Other activities I enjoy in my spare time are mountain biking, weight training and running.
Describe your style...
I like to think that my style is like a young K-Dub, smooth and fast (but not nearly as fast as K-Dub). I also think I ride a lot like my trainer, Shaun Kalos, in that I maintain good body position and I stay relaxed on my bike. Shaun has taught me to ride smart and stay focused. Although I am not a flashy rider, I get the job done. Technique is important to me and I work hard not to make mistakes on the track.