There has been a lot of speculation over the past few months about who will make the ABA’s “Terrible Ten” list, the ten best amateurs over 15 years of age. Well, what about the young guns, the future of the sport? If you haven’t been paying attention the last couple of years, the skill set in the younger amateurs has hit the next level. Little guys are manualing like seasoned veterans, can pretty much pedal over anything in their way, and some are even boosting pro sections with ease. It’s enough to drive some of the older am’s crazy. How would you like to get shown up by a kid half your age? So, to give these groms their props, ISTV has created the “Terrible ‘Tweens” list, a collection of the best ABA amateurs 14 years old and under (as of ABA Grands). This list is based on skill and domination, this year and years past, in no particular order. So finally here it is, the ISTV “Terrible ‘Tweens”!
Corben Sharrah – 13 Expert – Tucson, Arizona – Redman / Yamaha Waverunner – Corben has been dominating for a while now. He finally clipped in last season, to the chagrin of most of his competitors. He’s been the ABA World Champ two years in a row and looks to grab that NAG #1 plate in '05.
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Billy Russell – 12 Expert – Desoto, Texas – Phantom / On Trac – Billy Russell has been a dominator for years. He's got a lot more competition these days, but he's still the man to beat. A big, fast, powerful rider, Russell can usually be found out front.
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Chad Kerley – 11 Expert – San Diego, California – Hyper / No Fear - Chad has been known for his stylish riding for years, but really turned it up a notch in 2004. Chad finally got a World title this year and looks to grab his first NAG #1 title as well.
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Hunter Pelham – 9 Expert – Woodlands, Texas – Answer – Hunter has been at the top of his class for more than a third of his life. This little Texas ripper has a little more competition this year than in years past, but don’t ever count him out.
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Jake Trevino – 14 Expert – Cibolo, Texas – Phantom / On Trac – Jake has been an up-and-comer for the past two years, always a top three rider. 2005 looks to be his breakout year, with some dominating finishes in Rockford and Roseville. 14 Expert is going to be the class to watch at the Grands.
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Jacob Abbe – 9 Expert – Spring Valley, California – Hyper / No Fear – What can you say about Jacob Abbe? Crazy skill in a little package, this kid was boosting the second straight and the step up out of turn two at South Park with ease. Three time World Champ but a late birthday has kept him from that NAG #1 title. Watch out in '05 though, Abbe is coming.
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Lain Van Ogle – 10 Expert – Auburn, Washington – Redman / Yamaha Waverunner – Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Lain really turned it up in 2004. He was leading the Amateur #1 points race for most of this year and still looks to be one of the favorites going into the Grands.
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Jonathon Perry – 8 Expert – Sacramento, California – Phantom / On Trac – This controversial rider has been NAG #1 for the past few years. He’s a big, powerful kid and once he gets his skills dialed in, watch out.
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Logan Owen – 10 Expert – Bremerton, Washington – Redline – Logan has had his hands full with Lain Van Ogle lately, but you can’t ignore the dominance he has enjoyed over the past 2 -3 years. Never count this little terror out.
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Christopher Blevins – 7 Expert – Durango, Colorado – Phantom / On Trac – This little ripper came right out of the same mold as Jacob Abbe and Chad Kerley. With crazy skill and that Richie Anderson “pedal over everything” mentality, he is hands-down the best of the mini groms.
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Jared Garcia – 12 Expert – Victorville, California – Answer – You can sum up Jared Garcia in two words: pure dominance. Jared has been unbeatable for what seems like an eternity. Jared is one of those kids that quietly goes about destroying the competition. If he had better rider count, he’d be a lock for National #1 Amateur.
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Lahsaan Kobza – 14 Expert – San Diego, California – No Fear – Kobza stepped up his game last season. Riding with more confidence and consistency, he grabbed the NAG #2 plate in ’04 and is currently leading the NAG standings in ’05. But, he is definitely eyeing that #1 Amateur title.
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Sean Gaian – 9 Expert – Santee, California – Phantom / On Trac – Sean is probably the best rider you have never heard of. He was NAG #2 four years ago but has been relatively quiet since. But, in ’05, Gaian has really turned it up, with several wins at the bigger ’05 nationals, leading the NAG standings, and a shot at the Amateur #1 title.
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Tory Nyhaug – 13 Expert – Coquitlam, Canada – Linder / Staats – Tory hasn’t had the best year so far in 2005 ABA-wise, but the former NAG #1 rider did repeat and double at the UCI worlds in Paris. Tory is one of those kids with so much skill and determination that when his power kicks in, everyone better watch out.
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Connor Fields – 13 Expert – Henderson, Nevada – Supercamp – Connor has always been a consistent front runner and his skills are off the chart. Connor just grabbed himself a World title in Ontario to add to his trophy case. This kid is growing and, like Nyhaug, when his power shows up, expect Connor to kill it.
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Sean Lechner – 14 Expert – Wichita, Kansas – Answer – Bobo has had a tough year in 2005. A couple of bad spills has kept him out of racing for most of the year. Rumor in Ontario was that he was thinking about quitting racing altogether. This list was supposed to be only 15 riders, but how can you not count the former national #1 Amateur as one of the best there is?
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