Since I got back from Mammoth I have been training hard for Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s. During my training I fell on my bicycle and broke my collarbone.
10 days before my first race at Nationals I went into surgery to plate my shoulder.
After my surgery my parents cancelled our trip to Tennesse but I kept telling them I was going to be able to race. I worked really hard and did everything that Doctor Ting said so I would have a chance to still race.
Dr. Ting had me do Chryo therapy, arm therapy, lazar treatment, etc.
Two days before sign ins Dr. Ting told me that the plate was good and that if I ride I will be in pain but won’t hurt my arm. I really wanted to try to race and knew I would be able to fight through the pain. My parents were not as convinced as me but they decided to try to get another room in Tennessee and that they would drive me out. We hit the road and drove 34 hours straight to Tennessee and got to the track just in time to sign in.
I was very excited to be at Nationals! I got my #71 Bib and my bike and my gear was looking amazing!
After getting signed in my Dad did some finishing touches on the bike and I tried to do some fishing in the river…. I didn’t catch anything. Then I went to the pool to get cooled off and to do a little more therapy on my shoulder. It was fun to hang out with friends and get ready for racing the next day.
When I was in my first race I tried to focus on my laps. I started off OK but I did start to fade back as the race went on. I was able to finish my first two races in the top 10 which wasn’t bad for only being 10 days out of surgery.
In my third race I started with a great start out front. I was in 2nd place and putting down great lap times. I jumped when I landed in a cross rutt I wasn’t able to hold on and when the handlebar ripped out of my hand I went down. With my handlebars bent and mud in the throttle cable I wasn’t able to finish the race.
That night I rested my shoulder and the next day I to race but my shoulder was hurting too bad to continue. My parents and I decided that it was time to call it. I wasn’t able to compete up front and I didn’t want to do any harm to my body so I decided not to race in my last motos. It was a really hard decision but I was happy I was even able to race at all.
I have the most amazing sponsors!!! Everyone is always so supportive of me and my racing.
YAMAHA – FLY – LUCAS OIL
SOBMX – 2X PROMOTIONS – JMS – GRINDSTONE COMPOUND
WES KAIN MAFIA – MOM AND DAD – BILLS PIPES – LEATT
51 FIFTY ENERGY DRINK – WIENERSCHNITZEL – SCOTT GOOGLES – DUNLOP TIRES
CANDACE – JOHNNY – DR. TING
So many other sponsors that were not at the track but they help me throughout the year. I wish I was able to compete up front like I should have been but happy I was able to make it in the top 10 twice considering. After the races my family drove straight back home so I can start high school on Monday.
Every year Yamaha has a dinner for all the riders and families. We get to take a team photo and every year Yamaha picks one person that wins a prize. This year they called my number and I won a Yamaha pressure washer. It was so cool, I have never won a raffle. My Dad was SO excited!!!! He can’t wait to use it.
Can’t wait till next year!!!!
CROSS 71 - HUNTER CROSS 