08-29-07
Kasie Creson Takes Top Honors in
WMA Amateur Championship2007 Wrap Up
The 2007
AMA/WMA Amateur Championship hosted some of the most competitive
women’s motocross racing in history of the series. Nearly full
gates and great battles throughout the field made it a challenge
for all racers, while a few injuries and Mother Nature’s
interference with the final round adding to the drama. In the
end, the 17-year-old former
Cross-Country Off Road and Enduro racing, Kasie Creson, from
Oakley, CA took home the 2007 WMA Number One Plate. Jackie Ives
of Exeter, CA finished runner up in Championship after
contending just three of the rounds, Paris, Ohio’s Kimberly
Kocher finished 3rd overall (also doing just 3
rounds). Unfortunately for 16-year-old Lauren Volentir she was
unable to contest for 2nd or 3rd in
championship because the final round at Steel City was
regrettably cancelled along with all amateur racing for the
National due to horrendous rainstorms. She made the long journey
out to Pennsylvania from Thorton, CO, only to get just a look at
the muddy track and turn around. She did finish an inspiring 4th
in the championship in her first year of racing the series.
Rounding out the top 5 was Jacqueline Strong despite injury.
Amateur
Start at Hangtown
The
Championship started out at the West Coast with back-to-back
race weekends. First stop was Glen Helen Raceway, San
Bernardino, CA and then it was off to Hangtown MX, in
Sacramento, Ca. The Intermediate class, where points are earned
for the AMA/WMA Amateur Championship, was already showing
promise of a bright future for women’s motocross. 14-year-old
Jacqueline Strong of Sedona, AZ and 2005 WMA Amateur champion
reminded us why she is touted as one of the next big prospects
for WMA Pro racing winning all four motos. The other racers had
picked up their speed, skill and aggression and keep a fast and
impressive pace in the spirited class.
Kimberly Kocher
Round 1,
May 12th
At Glen Helen Creson went 2-9 for 5th place after
coming together with Kocher in moto 2. Ives picked up second
overall going 3-2. Natalie Eicher came over from Hawaii and
finished 5-3 for third. Brooke Hodges of San Martin, CA and
Sabriana Wosick of Reno, NV showed promise taking 4th
and 6th respectively. Holly Breck, Loren Volentir,
Megan Mainville and Nicole Madsen rounded out the top 10.
Natalie and Steve Eichner
Round 2, May 18th
At Hangtown the following Friday the WMA Amateur class was moved
back in the schedule to accommodate a local news television
station who profiled them (only women’s racing) on the 5 o’clock
evening news. The Dirt Diggers (promoters of the Hangtown MX
National) gave the women a longer moto then usual. Creson had a
solid 2-2 finish behind Strong, Kocher went 5-3 to complete the
podium, Alexah Pearson of Rocklin, CA posted a 3-5 for 4th,
Ives went 4-8 for 5th, Hodges, Wosick, Volentir, and
Breanna Byrd of Boise ID where in the top 10. Natalie Eichner
had some trouble in the first moto but posted a 4th
in the second moto and Hailey Larson of Mill Valley, CA moved up
from Novice this year and was running up front for a bit before
some trouble. It was clear her training with WMA Pro Alisa Nix
was paying off.
Meika gives tips to Jackie Ives
Round 3,
June 15th
Traditionally the West Coast WMA rounds have the closest
competition in the WMA Amateur racing, but when the WMA returned
to Budds Creek, Budds Creek, MD after a few years hiatus the
mid-Atlantic gals did not disappoint and made for more great
racing. Strong came into the round with an injured knee from a
Loretta Lynn’s qualified. Although she tried to race, she was
just too sore to give her usual performance but managed to
complete both motos hoping she might be healed enough to ride by
Round 4. She found out after the event that she would need
surgery. Meanwhile Kocher proved her skills in East Coast
terrain taking 1st in moto one. However Creson gave
one of her best performances of the year demonstrating her
determination by passing Kocher in last turn before the
checkered flag in moto 2 and taking the overall. Kocher got 2nd
overall. The local, Megan Cascio, of Owings Mills went 3-3 for
3rd, Volentir 4-4 for 4th, Amanda Brown of Pasedena,
MD went 5-5 for 5th and also got 2nd in
the mini class and 1st in the evenings Supercross
event.
Tara
Russell of Waldorf, MD, Christy Brosius of Surprise, AZ a former
WMA intern, Kara Groves of Huntingtown, MD, Strong, and Megan
Emory of Idian Head, MD filled out the top ten. WMA also had a
chance to meet another promising racer 11-year-old Kacey Curtis
of Thornburg, VA who won the girls’ class as well as boy’s 85cc
(7-11) at Budds Creek.
Jacqueline Strong and Hailey Larson
Round 4,
July 26th
Then it was back to the Northwest for Washougal MX National,
Washougal, WA that historically has the best turn out for
women’s racing of all the Nationals. This season it was great
once again. In the talent stacked amateur class Creson again was
on top of the podium with a pair of 2nd place
finishes. Ives recovered from her 4th place finish in
moto one when she tangled up with Larson in the new tight S turn
section of the track, with a 1st in moto 2 for 2nd
place for the day. Newcomer to the WMA Sydney Babcock of Auburn,
WA rode a rousing 1-4 for 3rd. Jessica Smith of
Tacoma, WA put her bike problems from Glen Helen and Hangtown
behind her going 5-5 for 4th. Another North westerner
Sierra Burnett of Bellevue, WA went 6–8 for 5th.
Kristine Wright, Holly Breck, Jolita Nava, Cassie Webb, and Byrd
rounded out the top ten. Heidi Gauthier of Rainer, WA had picked
up 9th in the Moto 2 and Larson a 3rd in
Moto 2 after a DNF in the first moto.
Kacey with WMA Pros at Budds Creek
Round 5,
August 24th
The Steel City National, in Delmont, PA ended being
cancelled due to weather.
It should be noted that if there were a championship for the
Novice class the Marquette twins – Brittany and Bryanna - would
quite possibly have picked up 1st and 2nd
for the season. It will be exciting to see these two move up in
the future.
Lauren #611 in
the midst of the first corner turn at Washougal
But who's moving up to the WMA pro class? Creson has plans to
turn pro at the 1st round of the WMA in 2008.
If Strong is 100% by the WMA Cup at Cycle
Ranch she’ll finish up her successful amateur career and turn
pro in Texas (she recently turned 15). Volentir qualified for
the US Open Women’s Amateur class and would like the World
Arenacross title before turning pro at the Cup. Jessica Smith
earned her pro license and will debut in Texas. Kocher has
mentioned her desire to turn pro soon as well. As for the others
like Ives and Eichner, only they can say when their ready.
Whatever the case, the 2008 freshman class of the WMA pro racing
is going to be a fierce one.
Novice Holeshot at Washougal
In meantime, we are looking forward to the next chance to see
the Women intermediates as well as the other female racers in
the 15 different women/girls classes at the WMA Cup this
November. If you are there be sure to congratulate Kasie
Creson on her first number one plate in motocross.
Strong and Creson
Kasie would like to thank sponsors Mach 1 Motorsports, Fox
Racing, Maxxis, Posey Racing, BR1 Suspension, Dirt Diggits,
Drill Tech Drilling and Shoring, Cytomax, Motual, No-Toil, J & D
Custom Embroidery. Also she dedicates the championship “In
loving memory of Ben Davis 929” and would also like to thank her
mom and dad, Rodney and Lori Smith, Brian Sprele, Eric Mashburg,
Chris Zito, and family and friends.
