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Pottstown, PA —- Big-A Plus —- Trilogy Park BMX —- May 29-30

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Story: Anthony Brown (Antdog)

Photos: Nick Jones, Steve Bevins (stevebevinsphotography.com)

Videos: Luke Nesler, 340films.com

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[Show as slideshow]

The fun began when I went to register and check out the track. I was not let down, nor did I expect to be. The Knapper family knows how to maintain a track. There is nothing more refreshing to a BMX racer than pulling into a parking lot and seeing a multitude of tents, cars, fellow BMXers.

Evan Eisenhard (Trilogy Park BMX) gets the “Best Looking Bike Award”.  Both of his chrome S&M .38 specials (20&24) are always spotless. If you know him, then you understand what I am talking about. He is also an accomplished racer.  Another interesting note occurred after Emily Grice, who was racing in 10/9 Girls, bailed. She told her father her arm was sore. Emily raced and went 5,3,4 and a 3rd in the main. While we were dining at Texas Roadhouse, I noticed a young female with a cast. It turns out Emily raced the rest of the day with a broken arm. Emily earned the “Iron Woman Award” for the weekend.   My personal highlight of the weekend was meeting Percy “Spiderman” Owens. I grew up reading about his exploits in BMX Action. He is a shining example of how hard work and dedication can advance you in life. The final thing that must be recognized is the moto count for both days: 125 on Saturday and 119 on Sunday. Maybe it was due to the holiday weekend, but a six moto drop off is nothing to sneeze at.

SATURDAY

Masters & Super-Ex

Joey Albright (SC Action/GT) rode the track like he owned it. He almost scored a perfect, but Will Murray (Rennen/Intense) spoiled it for him. The action was some of the best racing I have seen. Tim Dinger (Morphine Ind.) was looking as stylish as ever while battling it out on the track. Come main time, it was Albright, Murray and Owens on the podium.

In Super-Ex, Daniel Smith (Roadkill) was looking perfect in the motos. Mike Henderson (Alltow Wrecking Crew) was looking quite impressive as well. In the main, it was Jared Becker, Mike Henderson and Allen Currier on the podium. Daniel would take a fourth, but there was still Sunday.

Experts

There were quite a few standouts in the Expert classes. Gabe “I Can Style Over Anything” Hatem (GT/SC Action) pulled out a perfect. I have the pleasure of seeing him quite often. I suggest that the BMX world keep an eye in him, he will be 16 in seven years.  Another GT/SC rider, Anthony “Antlow” Catlow  ruled the 12x class. I still remember the day he showed up at the track on his dad’s old Hutch. In 13x, Justin Knapper (Rennen/intense) dominated the class on his home track. Jake Pletcher  was trying but no one could catch Justin. 14x was dominated by Jared Johnson from Ohio with Andrew Townshend and local racer, PJ Fillapone, coming in for the three spot

15x came down to three riders in the main, Evan Eisenhard, Damian Cherepko, and Brandon Roharik. Evan pulled out the win with Damian and Roharik for the two and three spots. 16x is the class to watch as a lot of the riders in this class will be Pro in a few years. Michael Schneider (Point Pleasant), Victor Behm (Rennen/Intense), and Dylan Perez (GT/SC Action) are the cream of the crop. I get to see Victor and Mike on a daily basis. Both of these guys are super fast. I do not see Dylan that often, but when I do I am always impressed. They finished 1-2- 3 in the main. 19-25x was won by Max Egdorf  (Rennen/Intense) followed by Michael Caldwell and Charles Davis. There was a former world number one in attendance who I am proud to say is from my hometown of Plainfield, N.J. — Greg “Don’t Call it a Comeback” Morgan.  If you do not know his name, he went to the Worlds in 1999. I still have the original article. Greg was also picked up by the Roadkill team recently. When he gets his BMX legs back I promise you will see him at the podium. 26-34x saw Pat Parke r(Rennen/Intense), Tom Truxell, and David Maltezos get the top three spots.

35-40x was won by John Paul Pfeiffer, followed by Chris “I live in the same complex as Antdog” Diaz and David Bedford.  A special shout out to Crazy Al Cayne, (http://www.cac-tv.com/bmxhood/). Not only does he race and make the main, you will see him filming right before his moto. Hardcore at its finest!   This is also the class I race and I must say, there is a lot of talent amongst us “old guys”. 41 & Over saw  Tony Sheets, Linwood Christopher, Lamar Davis (HBR Racing) go 1-2-3.

Novices

I think we are seeing the future stars of  BMX in the Novice class. Nathan Halahan (5n), Aidan Timmons (6n & CJBMX local), Lukas Halahan (7n), Grant Krieger (9n), Derek De Palma (10n & CJBMX Local), Dakota Austin (11n), Mitchell Aman (15n), Dustin Dry (19-25n), Jeff  Holtz Jr. (Jad Bikes), Troy Jones (35-40n), and Jeff “Skyway Guy” Badendyck all had perfects! Jeff was riding a prototype JAD frame. If you are over the age of 30, you remember that  company  from the 90s. They have new owners, but the same great quality. The next time you run into Jeff, ask him about his nickname.

Rookie

I must say the young Rookie classes are a thrill to watch. While we all watch the Pros with great enthusiasm, the 5 & Under and 6 Rookie classes are filled with young athletes who give just as much effort as a top Elite Pro. The one thing they have on their side is youth. If a 6-year-old crashes, more than likely he or she gets right back up. When a 39-year-old (using myself as an example) crashes, the first thing I do is check to see if anything is broken! Gavin Diamond took the win in 5 & Under and Bryce Shelley in 6 Rookie. There is one stand out — Alexander Bouer. I believe this was his third or fourth  race ever. This young man loves BMX and it shows on the track. His parents, Steven and Lisa, are always cheering him on and he smiles when he crosses the line, no matter what place he is in. The other Rookie standout, Joe Troiano in 8 Rookie, did not dominate like he usually does on the local level, but he has the drive to succeed. It must be said that Alexander & Joe are both CJBMX locals. Remember these names. I promise you will see them as top experts a few years from now.

Cruiser

The cruiser classes were jam packed with action Aaron Colantino (8&under),Anthony (I started out on my dad’s Hutch) Catlow(SC/GT Action) Justin(Rennen/Intense) Knapper, (13-14 ) Chris Bryan(25-29 CR) and Dan Mleczko  (Point Pleasant) all scored perfects. Dan is a huge Jeff Burton fan, and If he were a nascar driver I am willing to bet money he would outdrive his idol.  As long as I have known him he always wants to win, and he does so often.  He is a combination of power & finesse.  I will go out on a limb and say if things were the way they used to be in the “old days” Dan would be on a factory team like GT, Hutch, or CW.   This is not a knock on his current team, Point Pleasant is one of the best out there, but in a different era a rider of his caliber would be noticed(He also makes the weirdest faces coming out of the gate) 40-44/45-49 saw Jud (I retired-sure you did) Ciancio (Hyper) take the win.  One thing I noticed was the absence of Rich Farside, current NJBMX asst. state commissioner on the track. He was running the gate this weekend,   But he had that look in his eye, I would not count him out as he is a proven success in the BMX world.  50 plus cruiser saw David Beckwith take the perfect.  There  is one man that deserves a special mention, Chalrles “Chuck” Fieldson is one of the classiest men to grace the track.  He is the manager of STYLIN BMX Racing.  He is always willing to help anyone, and it does not matter If they are on a rival team.  Chuck and I share a few riders, Richard &Joe Block and Dan Forte, these three ride on my NJ state team, POSITIVE FORCE BMX.  It is a pleasure to be able to share them with a class act national team.

Women’s 20 inch & Cruiser

It is this author’s opinion that the ladies do not get their fair share of the glory, I do not mean from the NBL , but from  the fans. I overheard someone say, “girls class, time to get a snack”. Well, whoever that was must not know  the meaning of BMX. While there was no pro class, there was still plenty of excitement. Rileigh Vallerie (5/7 Girls)  was perfect, as well as Payton Ridenhour (Trilogy Park-8G)  McKhenna Calhoun (9/10G), Kristen Klein (11G), Jena Sangendorf (12g), Rochelle Wooding (Rennen/Intense-13G), and the newest rider of team Point Pleasant, Cheyenne Noud (15G).

In cruiser action, Jena Sangendorf, Rochelle Wooding & Susie Levan took wins.

SUNDAY

Super-Ex & Masters

I decided to not race and just watch on this day, and I have no regrets. In Masters, it was Joey Albright with another perfect, Joey reminded me of former GT legend Gary Ellis this weekend. And if you do not know who he is, well google his name. Will Murray and Tim “Ding Ding” Dinger rounded out the top three. In Super-Ex it was Mike Henderson taking the win, with a hard-charging Daniel Smith getting the two and Jared Becker in the three. This was Daniel’s first podium, but there was no podium on Sunday. But there are plenty of chances for him to get one on a Saturday, his day is coming.

Expert

Gabe Hatem(8/9) –Quentein Crowley(10x)-Anthony Catlow(12X)-Justin Knapper(13x)-Jared Johnson(14x)-Micheal  Schneider(Point Pleasant -16x) – Austin Loebe( Rennen/Intense) & Max Egdorf(17-18x) all took perfects.  Mike has been on fire! He has become very fast over the last two years.  I see him as a threat to the Super X class in a few years.

Novice

Wow is all I can say!!! Nathan Halahan(5n), Aidian Timmons(6n),Lukas Halahan(7n),Terry Laird(8n),Grant Krieger(9n),Derek Depalma(10n),Dakaota Austin(10n) Joshua Borntrager(12n) Sawyer Martin(15n)Troy Jones(35-40n) and Enrik Benazic(41&over nov) all took perfects.  I did see a lot of smiling faces at the end of the day and I know why.

Rookies

As my grandfather used to say “great googa mooga” (No idea where he got that from)  After two days of watching the rookie class, I realized BMX Racing is in for a big resurgence.  Gabe Sibilly(5&under),Shawn Larrivee(6r),Diante Ball(7r),Eric Jorrand(8r)Keegan Gaub(9r),Alex Shaaber(13r),Brian Bove(14R) all had perfects!!!!!  Some people say rookies should not race nationals, well I say why not???? They deserve a chance to shine just like ant novice or expert.

Cruiser

I hope I am not sounding biased but a lot of NEW JERSEY riders did really well  Catlow, Knapper,(he does race in NJ from time to time so for the moment I will claim him) Bryan, and Dan Mleczko all took perfects.   Chris Bryan from PA also took a perfect.  A special shout out to Dan as this was his first back to back perfect at a national.  If I am wrong, I am sure he will correct me.  If any major manufactures (Haro-DK-etc) are looking for a marketable older cruiser rider, who will put you in the winners circle, Dan is your man.

Ladies 20 & 24

In the ladies cruiser Jena Sagendof(12& under)Rochelle Wooding(13 /14),Christine Hartlove 17/24-25/29-35-39 took the win in a very mixed class. Marianne Slarsky took the win in 40-44.  In the ladies 20  inch class, Rileigh Valliere(5/7)  Payton Ridenhour,(8g) McKhenna Calhoun(10/9) Kristen Klein(11g)Jenna Sagendorf,Samantha Miller (Hyper-13g) Rochelle Wooding(14g),Cheyenne  Noud,  Chelsa Moser(RoadKill) And Jill mcguire(17 & over) took the wins.

I almost forgot the long haul award, Raphael Ouellet (12n) & Brock Cruess (15n)  came all the way from Canada to race, I apologize but the father’s name eludes me, but I give him credit for traveling this far  so two young men could race their bikes. That is a true hardcore BMX racer.

In conclusion, it was a great weekend and the race was run very smoothly. The Knappers run a first rate track, the NBL put on a great event and I made some new friends. The announcer was top notch as well keeping the crowd interested and informed. I highly recommend the Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse. I have close to 600 pictures on my website ANTDOGBMX.COM.  I will be making a DVD of the pictures and video footage. If you want a copy contact me through my site. My wife took a lot of the pictures. If you see her at a race, give her a high five, without her a lot of this would not be possible. Thank you to all the sponsors who helped make this event possible.  See you all at the races!