You’ve done a great job this year and you’ve really come a long way! Congratulations on your championship!
Thank you! It has been a lot of hard work but I have wanted this for a long time!  

When did you first show up at a GNCC?
My first GNCC was The John Penton in 2011. That was the year it was 100°! My background is motocross so I didn’t figure I needed a Camelbak! [laughs] I had to stop every single lap for water! I was in so much pain and misery. But at the end, I said, “This thing is excellent and I’d like to keep doing it.”

Kinda strange how that works out.  
Yeah, I know! I don’t know why, but I wanted to keep coming back. I had just graduated high school and figured I was going to go to college and get a career. I was coming off a big motocross injury that happened in 2010 and thought it must be time to grow up! But when I raced the Penton and got the GNCC bug, I started thinking of racing and pursuing that dream again.

When did this whole “racing dirt bikes insanity” start for you?
Oh wow…I was 7 years old when I started riding dirt bikes? I quickly became really competitive. When I was 11, I made it to Loretta Lynn’s. That was 2004. I came so close to a championship that year, but it didn’t happen. And so now, 13 years later, I’m coming full circle!

That’s really incredible! Your dedication has paid off. We have seen you rise through the WXC ranks. You’ve always been fast, but your fitness has really improved since that 100° Penton!
Yes! Well, in 2012 I decided I wanted to do the whole series. I’d always trained for MX, but with injuries, it was inconsistent. So when I dedicated myself to GNCC and knew that’s what I wanted to do, I started training really hard. I got a road bike and started pedaling with Walker [Fowler] and Johnny {Gallagher]. Hanging with those guys really changed my perspective about what I needed to do. I’ve always loved running and working out, so it just kind of took off from there.

Over the years, we have seen the whole sport elevate in terms of speed and fitness.
That’s true and it’s not just GNCC. Everybody wants to get better at what they do. You see Crossfit gyms popping up everywhere. I’m really fortunate. I get to hang with a good group of racers. Johnny hangs out some with Kailub [Russell] and gets little tips and advice. It all adds up and you have to take that good advice and run with it.

Well, you mentioned a minute ago that this championship dream has been in the making for 13 years! What advice do you have for young racers as they look up to you and want to do what you have done?
I’ve been watching and I know there are a couple girls coming through the ranks right now that have the talent and speed. If that’s what’s in your heart, then go make it happen! If you want it bad enough, then work hard for it! Hard work really does pay off! I’ve been chasing this dream for so long and I’ve wanted it so bad! It drove me and I had people around me that kept pushing even when I was tired. So don’t give up!

Speaking of not giving up, I really want to commend you on your program this year. It’s no secret that you were part of the AmPro Yamaha team for a couple years. The championship went to Kacey Martinez on an orange bike during that time. Due to internal changes, AmPro Yamaha didn’t field a female racer this year. You went out and put your own team together.
Yeah, last year was the first year for me being on a 4-stroke. It was definitely a learning year, but I was able to take that knowledge and put it to work this year. Johnny [Gallagher] and I talked during the off-season and we both had some ideas for how my program should work. With his help, we were able to put this together and pull it off!