Bounce Back Nationals

words & photos by Gmo

When the final gate of the Lonestar Nationals fell on March 8th, 2020 none of us knew how our lives would change in the coming weeks. As Covid-19 initiated a pause in human activity all around the globe, BMXers wondered if and when they’d be able to get

Kyle Norton (NAG 9) is one of the fastest cats out of the Pacific Northwest. He battled with 15X winner Peter Choat all weekend long.

ON TRACK

At the beginning of May the Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, started an advisory group to reopen their state. They appropriately chose the name of the “Bounce Back Advisory Group.” A few days later an opportunity to host an event in Pryor, Oklahoma arose, and the Bounce Back Nationals were born. Mayes County BMX was constructed just under a year ago and sits inside MidAmerica Industrial Park, a 9000 acre facility making it one of the largest in the country. It’s home to over 80 companies including familiar brands such as Google, Dupont and Gatorade. You can read more about the Stem Program offered there in the March 2019 issue of Pull Magazine.

Lets talk racing. A late spring heatwave bombarded the area with temps in the 90’s and humidity levels that most weren’t ready to contend with. Despite Mother Nature’s wrath the racing action was awesome.

Pro Open kicked things off with a full gate of racers from coast to coast. The 2019 National #1 Amateur and rookie pro Riley House was in attendance as was the elder statesman of the AA Pro class, Jeff Upshaw. These two duked it out all three days with Jeff taking the lions share of laps, sealing victories on Friday and Saturday. Sunday was all House in the one lap takes all main event. AA Pro Jake Peebles and superfast A Pro Austin McKan also made appearances on the podium.

Did we mention that racers from 39 states traveled to Pryor to get a piece of the action? With that level of talent some great racing was bound to happen. The “Baby Mangler” Malia Alvarez dominated the 6 & Under Mixed Open and 6 Girls Expert classes, doubling each 24 USABMX.COM H VOL. 10 / ISS. 4

day. For those who are wondering about her nickname, it comes from her team manager George “the Mangler” Andrews who is one of the most decorated amateur racers in our sport’s history.

While at breakfast on Sunday we got word that “Lil JT” Jemma Tollefson hasn’t touched her bike in months. We certainly couldn’t tell, as the young Box superstar never lost a lap in the 8 Girls Expert class, which she just moved up to a few weeks ago.

Arizona’s Leighla Paguia hasn’t been on the national scene for very

RIGHT: True BMX’s Chelsea Wilson handled business in the 10 I class on days one and three. She’ll be racing Expert in no time!

Austin Jung (GC 1) navigated his way through 16 of the 18 riders in the 14 Cruiser class on Saturday. RRC-Supercross’ 21-25 X Jason Kullman (NAG 7) was but a lap away from the perfect weekend in Pryor.

long but trust us, she will be a factor. She pulled off her first national wins ever in the 11-12 Girls Cruiser class on Friday and Saturday.

Speaking of big bikes, 56-60 cruiser was a battle between Scott Sloan and Ben Troia. These two traded elbows in every main event but in the end Troia took all three wins back to California.

Alpha’s 10-year-old super skilled young lady, Annalyse Solano almost secured a triple on day one but, BMX Sharks’ Sage Gazan spoiled the celebration. Sage is another up and coming rider that you’ll surely to be hearing more about soon.

The 14 year old expert showdown continued between Cedric Cade and Ronnie Kim. Cade got the best of the world champion this weekend taking two of the three wins to be

Danica Anderson has one goal for this season and that is to win both the Girl Cruiser and Girl Amateur titles. She’s well on her way to doing just that.

had in Oklahoma. With the way rider count has been looking in this class, these two will definitely be in the hunt for the amateur title come Tulsa time.

I cannot remember a time that more people came up and thanked the USA BMX staff for such an awesome event. We definitely couldn’t have pulled this event off in 28

Factory Powers’ Elijah Heaney (NAG 20) almost doubled on Saturday in 15 X and 15 Cruiser. days without the assistance of John Schaffitzel, Dale and Cindy Riley, and all of the volunteers at Mayes County BMX. You all have sparked something that will hopefully continue to shine for many years to come.

The “Warrior Princess” Maya Gadbois ruled the 7-8 Mixed Open class on Friday .

Alpha National’s 11-12 Girl Cruiser Leighla Paguia (GC 1) took her first national win on day one.

Riley House (777) put in some hot laps with Veteran AA Jeffrey Upshaw (937) in the Pro Open class.

Ronnie Kim had his hands full with Cedric the Entertainer in 14 X. The Assassin put it all together on Sunday and won both class and open.

TRIPLE X 2 + 1 DOUBLE

HAYDEN PASSANISI

10 Cru, 10x & 9-10 XOpen

TRIPLE X 1 + DOUBLE X 1

BRADY HAMER

7-8 Xopen, 8cru & 8x

DOUBLE X 3 (two wins per day, all 3 days)

ANNALYSE SOLANO DAMON FISHER 10under GCru, 9-10 Mixed,10g 7under Cru & 7X

DANICA ANDERSON MALIA ALVAREZ ROWDY HOLZER

13 Girls & 13-14 GCru 6under Mixed & 6 Girls 11 Cru & 11x

DOUBLE x 2 (two wins per day, on 2 of 3 days)

CHRIS KENNEDY 46-50 Cru & 46-50X

DOMINGOS LAMMOGLIA 51+X & 51-55 Cru LOLA JONJEVIC 11 Girls & 11-12 Mixed

ROBERT TAYLOR STELLA SUNSERI

41-45 Cru & 41-45X 13-14 Mixed & 14 Girls

DOUBLE (two wins on same day)

CHRISTOPHER PETERIE 21-25 Cru & 21-25X DREW MOTLEY EASTON JOHNSON ERIC BACA ERIN JONES LACY BERNARDINO RONNIE KIM 46-50 Cru & 46-50X 7-8 Xopen & 8X 36-40 Cru & 36-40X 17-20 Wcru & 21-30 W 11-12 Mixed & 12 Girls 13-14 Xopen & 14X

DATA:

Date: June 5-7, 2020 Location: Mayes County BMX City/State: Pryor, Ok States Represented: 39

King of Pro Open

Jeffrey Upshaw

Team Winners: Bike Shop:

Fri: BMX SHARKS Sat: JRBICYCLES.COM Sun: JRBICYCLES.COM Factory: Full Tilt-Radio

Mayes County BMX was the perfect host for the return of the USA BMX national series.

Ethan Strain (14) and Parker Jones (20) battle in 14 I.

Jacob Greenwell (NAG 4) grabbed two third place finishes in 8 X.

If you’re not following Annalyse Solano (ROC 1) on social media you’re missing out on some serious skill development. She won six of the nine classes she entered.

“Lil’ JT” Jemma Tollefson couldn’t be stopped in the 8 Expert Girls class.

NAG 8 Cameron Wing took a pair of fourths in 16 X back to the Pickle Juice tents after the weekend was done.

Floridian and BMX trainer extradinaire Domingos Lammoglia destroyed the 51 & Over X class.

14 Expert was stacked! San Diego’s Sean Jacob Delgado grabbed a fifth on Friday.

Gold Cup champ Dominic Cellitti took home two 51 & Over Inter wins back to Ohio.

Rowdy Holzer put his Profile ride out front in every main event he was in.

Corbin Daucus cranks his way to a 6 Novice podium finish on Saturday.

Caveman Racing’s Arthur Anders flexing out front in 17-20 Inter.

Andrew Rassi (1) is so close to adding a third name to the 14 X winners circle.

Keeaira Sherrill takes it upstairs in 11 Expert Girls.