Tom and Tina’s oldest son, Jayden, now 18, first developed an interest in BMX after seeing it featured somewhere and persistently encouraged his parents for several years to let him try the sport. During Rockford Speedway’s “Bike Night,” both Jayden and their youngest son, Ashtyn, now 15, had the opportunity to race their bicycles around the track. Both boys performed well and quickly developed a passion for BMX.

In June 2018, equipped with motorcycle helmets acquired from a cleanout, jeans paired with roller-skate knee pads, roller-skating elbow pads, Jayden’s heavy Haro bike, and Ashtyn’s Meijer bike, they made their way to the track one Sunday shortly after the Midwest Nationals. Early on, Ashtyn was already showing remarkable speed, even while racing on an inexpensive Meijer bike. After one race, another parent approached Tom and Tina to comment on how fast Ashtyn was and, to their surprise, offered advice on how to help make him even faster. That moment became one of their first true lessons in BMX culture: it is a sport rooted in family, encouragement, and mutual support in a way that is rarely found elsewhere.

Ashtyn and Jayden went on to attend training classes led by Allen (AJ) Geoff, Dr. Heather Collman, Troy Schleich, and Mark Melton. Ashtyn advanced from novice to intermediate in January 2021 and moved up to expert later that same year. Jayden progressed from novice to intermediate in May 2019 and advanced to expert that fall. Both boys earned Rockford Track Champion awards, achieved the distinction of State 1 in 2020, and maintained perfect attendance at Rockford from 2019 through 2023.

One especially important learning experience came at Walworth, known as “The Barn,” where the boys faced their first indoor track with tight turns and limited space. Accustomed to success outdoors, they found the transition difficult and the losses humbling. Tom and Tina used that moment to teach them that losing is not failure, but an opportunity to learn. They encouraged the boys to study stronger riders, practice with them, and understand their lines in order to improve. Ashtyn embraced that lesson, practicing with Brady King, who was the track champion at the time. That experience strengthened both boys’ resilience, race strategy, and determination.

The family’s first team affiliation was with Freeport BMX, followed by Rockford Bicycle Shop, and later Fly Zone. Each team experience helped shape their understanding of what they valued most in a BMX team and what they hoped to create for others. In April 2025, Twisted was established.

Tom and Tina have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the sport of BMX. Tom has worked closely with Rockford, volunteering his time to assist in many areas of track operations. He has also served in roles such as scoring and gate operator at multiple tracks. Tina is a familiar presence at many tracks as well, most often volunteering in staging and scoring. Together, their family’s journey through BMX has been defined by commitment, learning, service, and a desire to build something positive for other riders and families.