Hey, I’d rather be a little crazy than normal and boring! So, how did Steele Creek go for you?
For the conditions we face at Steele Creek I’m happy to say I got 3rd in the WXC class and 14th overall. The track crew still gave us a challenging track, even with the rain and cutting some of the track out. I battled with Quincy Cunningham for almost the entire race. We passed each other probably four times every lap. I had a blast!

What about the mud? How'd you enjoy that?
I hate to say it, but I don’t mind the mud at all. Sometimes I really enjoy it. The mud calls for good decision-making and being smart. It’s not all about speed when mud comes into play.

So 3 rounds in, it's still early but you're showing consistency is key and currently leading the WXC points. How's it feel?
I’ve never been in the points leading position before so I’m kind of nervous about that. My goals are to just stay consistent and be there at the end of the race. I want to challenge for the win every race and battle with the girls in my class.

Yeah, there's some tough competition in the class, what will it take to hold on to that lead?
Tough competition might be an understatement! I’m not sure what it is going to take to hold on to the lead, but I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing the last three rounds. I plan to fight until the last lap of the last race.

Speaking of that competition, tell us what it's like through your eyes.
Between multi-championship holder Angel Knox, last year’s champion Kylie Ahart, and all the ladies who moved up this year, I feel like I’ve got the biggest target on my back. Like I said before, I’ve been battling with the ladies in my class every race so far and that just goes to show how competitive this class is. Battling is fun and exciting, but for me it puts pressure on me that I’ve never had to deal with before.

Backing up to last season, you had a pretty good year. Tell us how it went.
Last year was crazy. It came down to the last race of the year between Quincy Cunningham and I. We were literally tied in every way possible. We had the same amount of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places. Unfortunately for me, Quincy beat me and claimed the 2nd place position in the Women’s Class and I claimed 3rd. I learned so much from last year. You have to take it one race at a time, you cannot dwell or think about your previous race, and don’t take your drops for granted.

Is there anything you would've liked to have changed?
Honestly, no, I wouldn’t have changed anything. I improved from the previous year and that in the end is always the goal. I made new friends and had so much fun at the races on and off the track.

What do you hope to accomplish through the rest of the 2014 season?
In 2014 my goal is to win the WXC championship. I don’t know how many racing seasons I have left, so if this is my last year I would love to walk away from racing saying I accomplished something not many people have.

What will it take to make that happen?
Consistency is key, and I think I’ve proved that.

Do you want to see any more mud races this year?
Wow, that’s a hard question. I do like mud races, but maybe we can dial down the intensity of the mud and rain. I think most racers would agree with that.

Alright, before we wrap this up, who do you want to thank?
First and foremost I would like to thank my mom and dad. They both have supported my brother and I for nine years of GNCC Racing. I know I couldn’t have accomplished what I have without them backing me up. Secondly, I would like to thank my brother, Josh Merritt. He works on my quad and has cleaned my quad more than I can count, and I don’t tell him thank you enough. I would like to thank the families that make racing enjoyable and that help me on the track. Lastly, I would like to thank GT Thunder, GBC, Spider Graphix, Answer Racing, Scott, Leatt, Portage Lakes Marine, HiPer, TwinAir, Cycra and AXA Advisors.