Darby Harrison -

"My name is Darby Harrison I am 10 years old and from Apollo Beach, FL. 2009 marked my second year in the sport, and I am having another great season. I attend Apollo Beach Elementary School, and I am currently in the 4th Grade. I have maintained straight A’s since Kindergarten, and continue to strive academically. School is very important to me, and always comes first. My family supports me fully and my parents work long and hard to keep me on the track. I live with my Mom (Karen) and Dad (Jim) here in Apollo Beach. I started riding in April 2007, and had my 1st race in January 2008. I train with Kenny Yoho every week, and am looking forward to the 2010 season.

2009 Season Accomplishments 65cc 7-9 (KTM)
Five 1st place finishes
Eleven top 5 finishes
Three top 10 finishes
Three 2nd place finishes
Tenth place Gold Cup round 2
Finished in 10th place at the Dade City MX points championship

While the other kids chase the soccer
ball around or show off their talent
on the basketball court, 10-year-old
Apollo Beach Elementary School student
Darby Harrison, turns spectator’s
heads as he rides his almost 100-lb.
Yamaha PW50 dirt bike.

Encouraged and fully supported by
his parents Jim and Karen Harrison, the
young athlete has no problem staying
on track, both athletically and academically.
“I have maintained straight A’s
since kindergarten, and continue to
strive academically. School is very
important to me and always comes
first,” Darby said. Darby has been riding
his bike for the past three years and
entered his first race in January of
2008.

Darby’s role models include names
like Ricky Carmichael, Tim Ferry,
James Stewart and Kenny Yoho.
Unlike basketball, motocross
makes parents experience a higher
level of concern for the safety of their
children, something that Jim and Karen
are fully aware of.

"I have to tell you that sometimes
Darby riding his bike makes me very
nervous,” Jim said. “But, I also know
that he has had the best training, and
wears the best safety gear made. He
loves what he does, he is good at it
and I couldn’t be happier for him."
One thing that drives Darby to
success is what all sports and athletic
events rightly share.

“What I like the most about
motocross is the competition,” he said.
Claiming the start of each race as
his favorite part of the sport, Darby
has no doubt that motocross is the
sport he wants to peruse.
“I get butterflies in my stomach in
anticipation of the gate dropping,” he
said. “The rest is all on me to do what
I have trained to do.”

As it is true with most young athletes,
Darby stays focused by setting
both short- and long-term goals, including
the Loretta Lynn Regional championship
in Washington, GA, and advancing
to the Amateur National Championship at
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills,
TN and to race against the top 40 riders
in the nation. As far as his long-term goals
are concerned, Darby held true to his
unwavering commitment when he said,
“My ultimate goal is to go pro, and race
in both the Supercross and Motocross
series.”

Interestingly, what he said last is
likely the most important key in accomplishing
his dream of becoming a professional
rider.

“I have a lot to learn and a long
time until that happens. Like I said, we
set a lot of short-term goals,” he said.
Darby trains twice a week in Plant
City at the Leslie Varn Ranch with a
trainer from Kenny Yoho from Kenny
Yoho MX Schools.

--
By Tamas Mondovics
"Sports Connection"
http://www.ospreyobserver.com