Every few weeks, I try to write a recap story for the Purbalite on Supercross racing, my favorite sport. I started doing this in January, for the start of the 2025 race season. This past weekend, I was finally able to cover a race in-person with full press access. I was even able to interview some of my favorite racers, people who could be considered some of my heroes. 

I have always attended and been a huge fan of Supercross and Motocross races. This past fall, I was able to attend the SMX Finale playoff race, a new format going into its third year of production. 

I attended my first SMX race in 2017, back before the SMX World Championship was formed. It was at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa. This track is western Pennsylvania’s professional track. Fans from across the area come to view this Pro Motocross National race.

I remember that first day very clearly. In the morning, my dad and I got breakfast at the Bob Evans off of I-79 in Waynesburg. After that, we went to the track, where I had an awesome day, seeing the professional racers do what they do best. 

My dad and I talked with John Tomac, who is professional racer Eli Tomac’s father. He talked about his son and the whole Pro Motocross Series. I remember being so interested in speaking with someone who had such a close relationship with a professional racer. 

After that weekend, I slowly started to race myself. However, I was truly never able to hone the skills the professional racers have. I did have my shares of successes, but I had many setbacks, most due to injury. My most recent injury is lingering, still keeping me off of my bike nearly a year later.

After the end of the 2024 SMX World Championship season, I started to wonder if I could find a way to be involved with racing and professional racers, without being one of them.

I soon realized that journalism was a wonderful and safer way to get into the industry. I started by taking the Intro into Journalism elective that fall. I really started to like writing, and I was able to use my skills to cover SMX, through the Purbalite. 

Shortly later, I started doing research on how I could become a media member for a weekend, at the Pittsburgh Supercross. After hours of applications, writing, and hopes, I was accepted as a media member for the Pittsburgh Supercross race. 

Over the weekend, I was able to get firsthand experience into what it is like for a full-time media member who strictly covers SMX Racing. 

I was able to cover all of the Pittsburgh Supercross for the Purbalite and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I would like to work for a media group after high school, with a focus on SMX. 

Just because you are not the greatest at something does not mean you cannot be involved with a different aspect of it. I was able to learn this lesson over the past few months, and I am really glad I did.