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JALEKSWOLL Loretta Lynn Amateur National Motocross Champion
Jalek Swoll had a standout performance at the Loretta Lynn AMA National Moto- cross Championship back in 2016, winning both overall titles in the Schoolboy 1 and 125cc (12-16) B/C classes. Rightfully so, the Floridian earned a lot of hype heading to the Ranch last year as he aimed to defend both titles, but a couple of mechanical problems and unlucky crashes robbed him of a chance at the overall victory, forcing him to head back to the drawing board. The Rockstar Energy | Husqvarna rider went on to make his debut on the 250F at Mini-O’s, but a nasty crash during the supercross portion of the event sidelined him for the remainder
of the week. Nonetheless, Swoll came back with a vengeance at the beginning
of the 2018 season, winning titles at both the Daytona RCSX and the JS7 Free- stone Spring Championship. Speed has never been a question for the Floridian, as he demonstrated throughout his Loretta Lynn Qualifiers with repetitive podium finishes, but it was a matter of consistency over the course of six motos at the Ranch. Swoll contested the 250 B and Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C classes this year at the Loretta Lynn Amateur Motocross National Championship, competing in ar- guably one of the most stacked divisions. The Rockstar Energy | Husqvarna rider completely turned things around in comparison to his performance at the Ranch in 2017, executing exceptional starts in all six of his motos in order to put himself in a podium position. As a matter of fact, Swoll finished every single one of his motos on the rostrum; four times in second place and two times on the top of the box.
He came to terms with the fact that he wasn’t always the fastest rider on the track and he rode within his limits, allowing his competitors’ results to be hindered by poor starts, lapses in concentration, or crashes. Swoll started the week off with a pair of second place finishes in 250 B and Schoolboy 2, but he really took con- trol of the fight for the championships by reigning victorious in both of his second motos. It was an incredibly impressive performance throughout the week as Swoll was recognizably trumped by the speed of Pierce Brown, but the Floridian didn’t let that rattle him. He stuck to his game plan in each and every moto -- pushing when he needed to push and cruising when he needed to cruise, putting forth
an impressive mental display on the track that showcased an improved level of composure from the previous year at the Ranch. 2018 marks the second time in Swoll’s career that he has left the Ranch with two number one plates to his name, surely strengthening his confidence in preparation for the last couple stops of the 2018 racing season.
2018
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