No kidding?! You had been working hard. You started out ok, but then you were out of the top ten and no one was even mentioning your name. And then at the end…there you were!
Yeah, I started out in 6^th, I think? And then it took a while to figure out the lines. I pitted and they told me I was in 11^th place. About midway, though, I figured out the lines and what was the fastest way around the track. I feel like that’s when I started picking up speed. Then all of a sudden, I was up with Craig DeLong and Ricky Russell. They had really good lines and gave me a tow to the front. My girlfriend gave me a pit board that I was in 4^th. I got hung up a little bit on that last lap, but when I took the checkers, I was ahead of Ricky on time adjustment. I guess it helped me that he started on row 2 and I was on row 9.   

That time adjustment thing is tricky!   
Yeah, Makayla (my girlfriend) did a good job with the pit board and telling me how far behind I was and what place I was in. It helped give me that push late in the race!

This is your first year in the XC2 division and it’s great to see you on the podium, but the GNCC Racin’ Nation doesn’t know a whole lot about you! It seems you just came on the scene a few years ago. What is your background?
Well, I’ve been riding since I was 4 years old. My dad was a flat track racer and he got my brother, Alex, and me onto bikes at a young age. My first bike was a PW50. I barely remember my first race. I know I got a trophy and thought that was the coolest thing ever! Been chasing them ever since!   

That’s pretty cool! So how old are you now?
I’m seventeen!

You’ve caught onto this thing pretty quick! How did you get to the GNCC Series?
My family and I started going to local woods races on the 50s and then on to 65s and 85s. When I 13 and on super-minis, I was beating some kids that did the GNCC series and we thought, “Why not go to a GNCC and give it a shot?” I did that first one in the youth class and overalled it! We figured that was a good start, might as well keep going! 

No doubt! That is impressive. So what happened next?
I jumped to the afternoon and rode the 250 A class. I got 4^th overall that year. I rode it again last year and got 3^rd. And now I’m in XC2! 

How did this XC2 ride come about?
Antti with KTM came to me and talked about doing something for 2015. My family talked to St. Lawrence Radiology and they came on board with the idea. Then Factory Connection…and then we had a team! We have a lot of really good sponsors behind us that make it happen, but I guess it was the KTM support that really got things moving. 

Aside from Snowshoe, how has the year been going?
I started out decent in Florida. I finished 8^th which was a good start. Then in Georgia, I had a great start, was running with Nick Davis, had a bobble and broke my collar bone! That took me out for the next two races. When I came back, I really struggled with fitness. It seemed I was plagued with arm pump and my results weren’t what I had hoped. I kept training and working hard and my results have started to creep back up. I got 9^th in Ohio and now this podium in Snowshoe!   

I’m sure that is going to send you into the summer break with a lot of confidence! What do you plan to do with your break?
Yeah, I’m feeling really good right now. I’m anxious to do some training, local races, riding and having fun. I’ll be instructing at the FCA Off Road Camp here in Indiana. I did that last year with you and it was a blast! I’m looking forward to it again!

Right! And for the readers not aware, Fellowship of Christian Athletes puts on several moto and off-road camps through the summer. They always include top level riders and I’m really glad to hear you’ll be joining in again!
Most definitely!

You mentioned training. What does your training program look like?
It’s mostly just me and my older brother, Alex. He’s really fit and we work really well together. He pushes me when we run, cycle and mountain bike. He’s a really decent motocrosser and if it weren’t for a couple broke fingers at a qualifier, I really think he would have made it to Loretta’s this year. So, he schools me on the motocross track!

What about in the woods? You’re the younger brother, but seem to have some more speed in the trees!
He’s great! He’s really supportive. He helps me out more than most people would think and he’s actually a big part of my program. 

Welcome to the GNCC Racin’ Nation! We are proud to have you. Who would you like to thank for your success?
Definitely my biggest supporters are my Mom and Dad for getting me to where I am today and always sticking behind the dream I have for racing dirt bikes. My girlfriend; for also being a big support in my program and always helping out. A big thanks to everyone at KTM for all the support this year. St.LawrenceRadiology for also being a big support to my program as well as Factory Connection, FMF, Nihilo Concepts, Stuk Mx Graphics, Maxxis Tires, Renthal, Frazier Motorsports, motion pro, Aserclothing, 100% goggles, Motorex, Sidi Boots, BoBo's Oat Bars, Twin Air, Fly Racing, Evans Coolant, Dp Brakes, Enduro Engineering, Moto seat, Warp 9 Wheels, Acerbic, CarbSport.