CORNHUSKER NATIONALS RACE REPORT

Filed under General on August 15, 2014 | Comment(s)

WORDS AND IMAGES BY: JASON "SHOOTER" MCGUIRE

Ever since I can remember, the national event in Nebraska has been known as the Cornhuskers. Obviously the state is notoriously known for the amounts of corn it produces, but until today, I never fully grasped how big of a deal it was. So much as that Star City BMX has single corn stalks lined along the fencing around the track. Not a bad touch with the decorations if you ask me. 

Other interesting facts about this state that many of you may not have known are 1) Nebraska is famous for something called Carhenge. Constructed back in 1987, this relic showcases 38 old automobiles that replicate the world-famous Stonehenge tourist attraction. 2) The Runza: This is basically a carnivore's dream Twinkie. It is a hunk of bread filled with spicy beef just waiting to be demolished by the next passing meat lover. Get em' while they last, because Nebraska is the only state they exist in.

Enough about the odds and ends of Nebraska, let us get to the race action!

FRIDAY:  

I was unsure of what to expect when pulling up to the track this morning. As we came around the bend, it was immediately obvious that it looked as if Mother Nature had just dumped a few inches of the fluffy white stuff on the track. While I was a bit disappointed that it was not snow, the white surfaced track left for a lot of oohs and awes from riders and their families. So how did it happen? It turns out it was the perfect mixture of Soiltac and lime. The surface was definitely in tip-top shape, but some were left struggling to see the transitions between obstacles. Nonetheless, the rain stopped and racing began on time for the 53 moto pre-race. 

There are times when the intermediate class can be tough as nails and competing in it is a grueling grind to make it out and into the expert ranks. At least that was the case for the 13 intermediate class tonight as the entire pack, besides one, all tangled up and went down after a close race down the third straight. With bikes going in every direction, the door was wide open for Antonio Lopez who made it through the carnage and picked up the win. The fastest to get recovered was Uhdel Woods out of Texas and rounding out the top three was Skylar Jacobs for Star Bike Shop. Let us just say that if tonight was any preview on what we may see from the young men over the weekend, this is going to be the best intermediate class hands down!

While tonight just gave us a little taste for what is to come from the remainder of the weekend, there is no doubt that the racing will be tight and wins are not going to come without a challenge. Be sure to check out the USA BMX Facebook page throughout the day for updates and also right back here tomorrow night for the complete race report from day one's action!  

SATURDAY:

Day one of the Cornhusker Nationals brought sunshine and warm temps as we kicked off the races. With 147 motos and a lot of riders having the track pretty dialed, it was shaping up to be an awesome day of racing.

After jetting through the first two rounds and semis, we were in the mains before you could say cornhusker. One of the most exciting moments before the start of the first main event is the crowd getting amped up and the riders in staging preparing to put on a show for all the spectators. In order to add to the adrenaline rush, the Track Operator at Star City BMX blew off a large report firework that thundered through the air in anticipation of the first gate drop. 

The adrenaline was pumping and the main events were under way! The 13-14 girls cruiser class was the first of the championship classes that really caught my eye. I was immediately expecting to see either Crupi's Anna Johnson or Ssquared~Answer's Kaitlyn Deters out front, but that was not the case as Korie Gilbert from Pearland, TX found herself out front early. This girl was going to make sure that her competition was left reading the back of her jersey. She would go wire-to-wire after holding off a hard third straight charge from Stephani Morin who finished second and Deters would round out the top three. These ladies are definitely the ones to watch in this class and hopefully tomorrow will bring the same great thrill. 

When you are in your home town and you make it on the event art work for the weekend, there is an added pressure to perform at your top level. For Ssquared~Answer's Brody Cole, he took the challenge head on and ruled it with an iron fist! He boosted out to an early lead in 10 cruiser and never looked back for a second. Brody did have some pressure from Doublecross' Samuel Nichols, but it was not enough to take the win from him. Brody went on to be victorious in 10 cruiser, but Nichols would get his revenge after finishing just ahead of Cole in 10X with a 2nd, while Toxix Racing's Jackson "Super Cracker" Rodell took the win all three days of that class. 

When the ladies started throwing' bows on their 20" destroyers, it was not long until there was some pretty heated packs in and out of the turns. Which is exactly why it pays to be out front early. Once there, you only have to worry about riding your race and holding off any oncoming attackers. For Full Tilt's Crystal Schwartz, it was that riding mentality that got her the win over an extremely competitive 17-20 girls class. Be on the look out for this girl picking up some more wins before the years end – and even contend for the NAG NO.1 title when we visit the Grand Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thanksgiving weekend. 

The expert boys are always a joy to watch. Usually you get a stacked gate with eight of the top riders in each age group all fighting for the win. I am not saying that other classes are not doing the same thing, but the energy in the air seems to get a bit more intense when the experts file into the gates. The faster they go, the bigger they go and the harder they fall, but the more rewarding the payoff if you are victorious. Nonetheless, it is always a joy watching the fellas duke it out on the track and let their riding do the talking. 

For Hostile Elite's Aram Schwinn, losing was just not acceptable. After coming out of the gate in second, he used the inside to his full advantage when dive-bombing the corner and trying to stay as low as possible without doing the golden wash-out. Schwinn rocketed to the underneath side of Jett Gaudete in turn one and after that it was just the challenge of holding back the charge. Sure enough, "The Diesel" Schwinn was able to hold off Daudette to get the overall win. There is no doubt these two will be head to head once again tomorrow for round two of the 13X battle! 

Day one ended on a high note and with 145 motos for day two, there is no telling what could happen. That is one of the best things about the USA BMX National Series, if you had a bad day, just pick your head up and try again tomorrow! Be sure to check out the USA BMX Facebook page throughout the day for updates and also do not forget to listen to all of the action on usabmx.com/webcast. See you tomorrow race fans!

SUNDAY:

Sunday at a USA BMX national event always brings a mixed bag of emotions. Riders are excited because a new day of racing is about to begin with another chance to rake in more national points, but at the same time it is the final day and when the last gate falls, it is back to every day life – whether it is school, work or whatever else fills the days you spend dreaming about the next race. 

The final piece that makes Sundays special is the added amount of intensity that gets poured into every moto since it is a rider’s last chance to make a statement for the weekend. It is that added bit of motivation that really helps boost a riders performance and can make the difference between winning and losing. I know from experience that BMX racers do not like to lose, no matter who you are. The four races I am going to talk about today were examples of riders pushing their limits and making sure to end their weekend on a high note. 

In 11-12 girl's cruiser, Crupi's Abbie Johnson is a spitting image of her older sister Anna – at least when it comes to riding. They both show the determination to become champions, and are well on their way to doing so. Abbie once again proved that in the main event on day two of the Cornhusker Nationals. The intensity in eyes, mixed with the facial expressions, shows that she is digging for more and more with each crank. As it has many times this season, it paid off in dividends once again as she crossed the line in victory. There is no need to try and top the many accomplishments her sister has already received; she is already building her own pedestal of achievements. 

For the gentleman cruiser classes, it was Alec Nesbitt in 17-20 who really put the hammer down all weekend long. The Phoenix, AZ local made the long trip and anytime that happens, you know you do not want to go home empty handed. Alec was not going to be denied yet another win during todays main and checked out from the rest of his competition ASAP! Considering that he does not currently have a sponsor, it makes you wonder if he is trying to get noticed. That may be so, but either way he is killing it right now and there is no slowing down in sight. Alec just shows the raw determination and intensity it takes to succeed on this level of BMX racing. So if you are a team currently looking for a hot shoe (no pun intended), put him on your radar before someone else does and ends up reaping the rewards. 

Going even younger for the girls classes, it was the six year old, Madison Voigt, of Full Tilt Bike Co. who impressed me with how fast she has developed at such a young age. It is not very often you see a six-year-old young lady roll into the gate and clip in. Once clipped in she kept a rock solid balance as she patiently waited for the gate to drop. You mix all of that with some wins and it is a great show for what it takes to become a future champion. While you can never tell 100% if a six year old will become the next Mariana Pajon or Alise Post, this young lady definitely has the power to change that opinion. Here is to Madison; proving that young girls can be pretty rad on the track! 

When Doublecross' Kenneth Gustafson comes to mind, the first thing I think of is NO.1 Amateur title contender, and then I remember his grueling wreck in Las Vegas that left him sidelined for what many of us though would be upwards of three months. Fast-forward a month to this weekend and it shocked many of us to see him riding out on the track and ready to race. While still not 100%, Kenny G. could not keep himself on the sidelines any longer and figured if he slapped a brace on his wrist, he would be good to go. After a massive gate fail in yesterday's main event, he made up for it today. While still not able to get the pass on Ssquared~Answer's Tyler Whitfield, who picked up both wins, Kenny was able to hit the track and ride away safe, in one piece and with a solid second from the day. There is no doubt this kid has his eyes set on that silver cup, and he is not going to let anything stand in his way. 

There are highs and lows to every weekend, but this one seemed to run with a lot more on the high column. After a worrisome rainstorm during the days leading up to the event, it is no surprise that every single person in attendance was relieved by the beautiful weather we had for Saturday and Sunday. Congratulations to EVERY single rider who came out and joined us this weekend, and also a giant thank you for all of the wonderful help we received from the track. It was surely an amazing event! 

So what is next for USA BMX Nation? Once again we have left that choice up to all of you, the racers. Will you chose to chase the blue Eastern Divisional Championship jersey at Derby City BMX in Louisville, KY, or will you venture off to the biggest little city in the world to try and secure the red Western Divisional Championship jersey at the Black Jack Nationals in Reno, NV? The choice is yours and we can't wait to see you there! Travel safe and as always, keep the rubber side down.