Few Simpson students can say they’re professional athletes, but Sophomore Alesia Brose is one of the few who can. She’s a professional BMX (Bicycle Motocross) racer.

Influenced by her younger brother, Casey, and stepbrother, Cory, Brose started to practice on their bikes until her family convinced her to race in 2003. The rest is history.

Since she began racing, Brose has won three state championships, which are won after six races in a year. The rules for turning professional changed recently, with the minimum age of a professional now 19 years old instead of 16.

Brose rides a 20-inch wheel bike in the “elite women” class. The difference between the 20-inch wheels and 24-inch wheels is the 20-inch bike racers can win money, and the 24-inch bike racers win trophies and plaques. According to Brose, she has more than 50 state trophies.

In 2003, Brose finished 4th in her professional class and 5th in the class of 18-29 year olds at the regional meet.

“It was exciting to race against the greatest professionals in my region and to beat some of them,” Brose said.

BMX has races at the local, regional, national and world level and will debut at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

According to Brose, the top 15 finishers make it to world meet. In the 2003 nationals, Brose finished 17th, and in 2004, she finished 18th.

“I want to make the top 15 at grand nationals in Kentucky and go to world,” Brose said.

In order to improve, she builds leg strength on her exercise bike at home.

According to Brose, the key to becoming a successful BMX racer is to learn to land jumps without “freaking out.” She recommends going to clinics put on by professionals and semi-professionals for a fee. One year she taught a clinic for children.

The local races take place in Des Moines on S.E. 14th St. and McKinley from April to October, on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and throughout the summer on Thursdays at 6 p.m. July 15, 2006 was the most recent Iowa Games, but Brose did not participate. Instead, she took pictures of the BMX riders.

Brose said it’s easy to get started if someone’s interested in learning how to ride a BMX. She also said it’s important to get information about BMX bikes before competing or riding.

“If someone is interested, find a track close, contact the person in charge by Web site or phone, and you don’t have to be a member to practice on the track,” Brose said.

When it comes to the sport of BMX riding, Brose thinks it’s fun and a way to challenge herself as well as meet new people all over the country.

“With BMX, there’s always some place to be. and I know a lot of girls all over the country from racing in regionals and nationals,” Brose said. “I used to go every-other weekend to a regional race and see the same girls, and I’ve made friends with them. It’s fun to challenge yourself on a different track every time.”