9-year-old celebrates birthday in motocross

Seven-year-old Lucas Jones had a birthday to remember two years ago when he spent his time motocross racing against some of the world's top riders in Las Vegas.

He did it again earlier this month. Jones turned nine on the same weekend that he competed in the World Mini Grand Motorcycle Championships in Las Vegas. It sure beats Chuck E Cheese.

Still eligible to compete in the 6-8-year-old class, Jones, a third grader who earns As and Bs at Dayton's Sutro Elementary School, placed seventh overall and fourth in the main event in the 65 Modified Class earlier this month in Las Vegas. He also placed 11th in the stock class and 50cc class.

Two years ago as a first grader, he placed sixth in the modified class and 10th in stocks in Las Vegas for ages 4-7. Also that year, he placed first in the Nevada Cross Spring Series, the MX West Northern Series and the Nevada State Championships.

Last fall, Jones placed first in the Trans Cal 65 series for ages 6-8 against some of California's top riders.

When he was seven, Jones said his goal was to secure sponsorships from professional motocross organizations. That goal to race professional still remains.

He's well on his way. Jones had two sponsors two years ago and one was the family business -- Race City Cycles off of Highway 50 just before the Virginia City turnoff. He now has many more sponsors.

The cost is still great for Jones to race all over the country -- $20,000 to $30,000 per year. This summer, he plans to make his third trips to the National Motorcycle Association's Grand National Championships in Oklahoma and the National Amateur Championships at the Loretta Lynn Rach in Tennessee.

"Lots and lots of money," said Jones about what it takes for him to race.

"Basically the business was open for him," said Jones' grandfather, Dave Telford. "Then it kind of became a thriving due to his success. Really, really, it's a great family sport."

Jones also races in the MX Series 80 Junior Class against riders as old as 16.

"I just race like I race all the time," said Jones about going against older riders.

Jones began riding a motorcyle when he was three and racing competitively when he was five. "I started riding motorcycles before I could ride a bike," he said.

Pictures and trophies of Jones' success fill the family business store. They just touch the surface, the family says.

"We've got a house full," said Jones' mother, Serena Jones. "This is nothing compared to what we have in the house."

"The garage and the whole house are full," Lucas said.

Jones has sustained the usual bumps and bruises that come from motocross racing.

"We don't like to see you get hurt," Telford told his grandson. "I don't like to see it, too," Lucas replied.

In one incident, Jones cut his jaw open. "She said I would quit after I cut my jaw," said Lucas about his mother. "But I wanted to race the next day."

It's not surprising that Jones enjoys the motocross jumps. "I like just going high," he said.

But he also knows what's important to be successful in motocross.

"Corners and the start are the most important thing of the race," Jones said. "If you get a bad start, it's hard to work your way up."

EBERLE UPDATE

Galena High graduate Annabeth Eberle finished as a two-time All-American at the NCAA Championships for the University of Utah last week in Lincoln, Neb. Eberle, a sophomore, finished with an overall score of 39.475 in the all-around competition to tie for fourth. Nebraska's Richelle Simpson won the all-around title with a 39.675.

Eberle scored a 9.95 in the vault, 9.85 in the floor exercise, 9.875 in the uneven bars and 9.80 in the balance beam.

Her performance in the evening session also helped Utah advance to the "Super Six." Utah's score of 196.850 was the second highest in the evening session behind Nebraska (197.325) and the third highest overall also behind UCLA (196.950). Alabama (196.775), Michigan (196.125) and Georgia (196.625) also qualified for the Super Six.

But Utah struggled in the Super Six when it lost one of its team leaders, Theresa Kulikowski, to an injury and Utah finished sixth. Eberle, though, stayed steady.

She scored 9.95 in the vault -- tied for the second highest score -- 9.80 in the floor exercise, 9.725 in the beam and 9.80 in the bars for a 339.275 total. Eberle earned her second All-American honor when she placed sixth in the vault in the individual competition with an average score of 9.8565.

Charles Whisnand is the Nevada Appeal Sports Editor.