ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The first U.S. BMX event of 2024 came to the Quad Cities to ring in the new year, bringing over 300 riders to the QCCA Expo Center for the Rock Island Indoor BMX event.
The event had over 200 individual races, with the chance to win big trophies and earn triple points for the Illinois state qualifier, which is a stepping stone to place nationally in BMX.
One of those racers was 10-year-old Pierston Berhenke of Moline, who has only been racing for six months. "Every time I go on the track, I think about my grandma. She got me into racing," he said.
Berhenke won three individual races at the event, earning him a first-place trophy. "It feels good to have a family that I can trust and have support on," Berhenke said.
Brandy Emo, Berhenke's grandmother, has been supporting him and his brother Jorden Prescott at over 50 racing events. "Either one of them's not been in very long, and they do really good. They're very challenged," Emo said.
Prescott has also been racing for only six months, and he's also grateful for the family support. "When I hear my name or something get yelled, I don't know what happens but it makes me go away faster," Prescott said.
BMXers from Nebraska, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois were at the event.