Senior Annie Wernig is all about racing dirtbikes and has been since she was a little kid. Wernig has qualified for races that involve the best ametuer racers in the world, like the Mini Olympics (mini o’s) and  even bigger races.

   Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, where once used to be home of a huge country singer, is now home to a motocross track that is only ridden once a year for the biggest ametuer race in the world. People think it may be easy to go here to pursue their dreams, but that’s not the case.

   First, riders have to go to an area qualifier which is a local race for Loretta’s. They have to finish this race in a high enough position to enable them to attend the next regional qualifier. The regional qualifier is a race where tracks have kids coming from many states. They as well have already passed their area qualifier to qualify in the regional race. If riders get through this race, be ready for a long drive to Tennessee because all the hard work has paid off, and riders have pursued their dream.

    Wernig has a track at her house where she practices as much as she can with her older brother Charlie Wernig, also a very fast dirtbike rider. “I train very hard to get where I am today,” said Wernig. Wernig also doesn’t just ride at her house and at the big races, she also goes to local races on the weekend at tracks that are normally 2 to 4 hours away. Wernig says, “This also gets me very good practice because I am in a race situation.”

    Unfortunately, Wernig’s season was stopped early at Blue Diamond MX park in New Castle, Delaware. Wernig said, “I swung my leg over that bike thinking that I was going to have a great Race (moto), and end the day good.” Unfortunately, that did not turn out to be the case. Wernig was having a pretty rough moto when she jumped a fast jump, but on the downside of this jump was a fallen rider who couldn’t get out of the way. Wernig went into action trying to wheelie the down bike which in turn ejected her, resulting in serious injury.

    Wernig didn’t let that stop her. After a lengthy recovery, nerve damage, and tearing pretty much everything in her knee, she was still determined. On August 1, 2015 Annie arrived at Loretta Lynn’s, where she did unbelievably well., Wernig said, “This was the most stressful week of my life but it payed off. I walked away with two 3rd place podium finishes and one 4th place finishing my week 2nd overall at the ranch. After not walking at this same time last year and now doing this, it’s just awesome.”

    At NHHS there are a lot of riders who have attempted to race at these big races like Loretta’s or Mini O’s, including Ryan Rassa, who has just attempted this year, but had to come to a stop because of an injury. Senior Alec Hoffman also trains very hard between riding at his home track and riding his road bike.