Steamboat Springs, CO - Mick, a boardercross racer, was a force to reckon with in the 2012/13 season, finishing fifth overall at the U.S. Grand Prix and reaching a third place ranking in the NorAm standings.

Q. What’s your favorite career moment so far?
A. The U.S. Grand Prix at Canyons. The whole U.S. team and some of Canada’s top racers were in the mix and the difficult course made for some great racing. In the quarterfinals, I was up against two former U.S. Olympians who have proven to be some of the best in the sport. I have looked up to these guys for a long time and have always hoped that one day I could follow in their footsteps. I was definitely the underdog in the heat, but I had a great start and held my ground and ended up winning the heat. It was an incredible confidence booster that made me realize I have what it takes to race against the fastest guys in the world.

Q. What does a typical day of training look like for you?
A. During the off season, a typical day of training is going to a 6 a.m. Manic Training class, then heading to work for eight hours of framing custom homes. In the afternoon, I usually hop on my bike and go ride up a mountain, then get ready to do it again the next day. In the winter, I will head up to the mountain in the morning and meet up with my team for a day of riding as hard as possible. I like to act like the mountain is a boardercross course and pick out obstacles and lines and try to go as fast as I can through them. Afterwards I usually hit the spin bike and the gym to keep my fitness up through the season.

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A. Give it your best. No matter what you do in life, it is always more satisfying to know that you gave it your all rather than wondering how things could be different if you had tried a little harder.

Q. How do you like to relax?
A. Sit down and watch a good movie.

Q. What are your educational or alternate career goals?
A. My goal right now is to earn my bachelor’s degree in business, which I have half completed. I am not exactly sure what career opportunities I will be looking for in the future, but until I figure it out I’ll keep soaking up knowledge wherever I can get it.

Q. What do you think is the most beautiful/scenic spot in Steamboat?
A. The views don’t get much better than when I ride my bike up Emerald to the quarry in the fall. I love looking over the town and seeing all the colors on Mount Werner across the valley.

Q. Which three words describe you best?
A. Enthusiastic, ambitious, thoughtful.

Q. What was your favorite Steamboat activity as a kid?
A. Aside from anything on the mountain during the winter, I grew up playing golf at Haymaker. My friends and I would play every day during the summer and usually get in 27 holes. I wish I could still play that much now.

Q. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
A. My mom is not going to be happy I’m writing this. One afternoon when I was eight, I was rollerblading around the neighborhood. When my mom was passing me on her way home, I grabbed on to the window of the car for a lift back up the hill. The chip and seal was a little too bumpy and my legs started shaking. I slipped under the rear wheel and both of my shins acted like a speed bump under the tire. Somehow I was totally fine, just a few scrapes. The following day, I Nordic jumped in the Wednesday night jumping at Howelsen Hill. I won the award for rubber bones that year.

Q. What is your favorite social networking site?
A. Facebook. I’m too scared to try anything else.

Q. What is your favorite type of food?
A. Mexican. I’m always in the mood for a tasty burrito.

Q. Who is the most important person in your life?
A. My parents are both the most important people in my life. They have taught me everything I know about hard work and determination, and they have always been there for me through thick and thin. All of the amazing opportunities I’ve had so far in life would not be possible without them.