Started racing: February 1996 at age 13. She got a BMX bicycle in lieu of a mountain bike due to lack of funds. When she was 13 years old her father gave her $250 for the mountain bike she wanted for Christmas in 1995. To her disappointment she did not have enough for a mountain bike but did have enough for a BMX bicycle, which she settled for. Then she was informed about BMX racing by the salesman and the existence of a nearby BMX track. She was enthralled when she road her new bike in practice on the course. However, she was too apprehensive to actually sign up for a membership and race for a month.