5 PHOTOS

Ryne Swanberg

Ryne Swanberg

Ryne Swanberg

Ryne Swanberg

Andrew Campo

View all 5 photos

With names like Dean Wilson and Blake Baggett dominating the rookie headlines, it's difficult for anyone else to squeeze their name into the story line. Despite hardship, Killy Rusk is doing just that. As an underrated rookie, Colorado's Rusk has put in some extremely eye opening results so far this year, and he's only getting better. We caught up with the super fast KTM rookie for this week's edition of, Rookie Profile.

Killy, to be honest, you probably aren't the most recognized rookie on the gate. Even more so, there are a lot of guys out there that aren't putting in your results that are probably more of a house hold name. Nonetheless, you are one of the biggest surprises on the gate this year. How does that make you feel? 
It feels great to making a big impact in my rookie season.  I didn't really expect to be doing this well.

What made you decide to jump into the 2011 Nationals calendar instead of taking the traditional Loretta's route? 
My dad felt the experience of turning pro would be better than continuing in the amateur ranks. It's been only a positive so far; however I did do some area qualifiers just in case we changed our mind.  But, I think we made the right decision and I think it's been fun.

Recap your season up to the mid way point for our readers? 
It’s been amazing.  I went into Hangtown with only the expectation of qualifying and I accomplished that so with that I accomplished goal one. I ended up dnfing the second moto with mechanical but that was ok because I felt strong and the 30 minute motos were not a problem.  At Freestone I wanted to qualify in a better position so that I would would have a better gate pick.  I did that and finished 19th overall.  My first top 20 and with that goal two.  Next for me was Thunder Valley in my home state so I had a lot of confidence going in.  By skipping the east coast rounds I was able to dial in the track the week before and stay with some friends in the Denver area. I had a bunch of family, friends and fans there supporting me and so that helped. The race went amazingly well with 15 / 14 in my motos and 13th overall. So that accomplished my next goal of a top 15.  Redbud ended up being more of a challenge then I had thought.  I had raced there as an amateur and loved the track and I was excited to go back.  The motos went well but a small crash in the first moto dropped my first moto score a couple of places. So that ended with an 18 /16 for 18 overall, but I learned a lot so that was all good.

You've experienced a ton of improvement so far. How much more can you improve before the seasons end?
Well. my goal is to have a top 10 finish by the end of the season.  I continue to work daily training on and off the bike. If I continue like this I think a top 10 is definitely possible.  Also need make sure I keep it on two wheels both motos.

Going into the season what were your personal predictions or goals?
My dad and I set a goal before each race.  Hangtown was just to qualify. Freestone was to be in the top 20 and be in a better qualifying position. Our goal is just to improve weekly and get into the top 10! I think we made realistic goals and it feels like I am moving forward each week.

In your mind, what will it take for you to become a consistent top 10
guy?
Lots of hard work!! I have not been getting good qualifying times so I don't get very good gate picks.  My lap times in the race are better than qualifying and that's on a rougher track so I know I can pop off a couple of seconds during qualifying.  I think with that better gate pick I can move up on the start. That would be huge.

What has been the biggest adjustment for you in your rookie season?
Training harder.  Everything else is the same as far as traveling and racing. The pro races are just more intense

Talk about the financial commitment you've made from a personal standpoint and what kind of support you are currently receiving.
As always my parents are 100% supportive in every way. My Dad and my mom work hard to keep me racing so I think really they are the ones to talk to on this one.  I just need keep trying my hardest and everything else will fall into place.

You've always been fast, but seem to have gotten bit by the injury bug at the wrong times. How have you managed to change that?
Being smart. Trying to focus and really pay attention to what I’m doing on track. My dad always says be smart before I take off so maybe that's working. Then again the last thing he says is have fun.  So something must be working.

What are your plans for Supercross and how do you feel your accomplishments in Outdoors will effect your first season of SX?
I'm think we will do the west coast rounds. I think that the confidence I'm building up in the outdoor season will help me in supercross. Hopefully my results in the outdoor season will help me land some help for the supercross season. I do think supercross will be a lot of fun and as soon as the outdoors is done I going to be on a supercross track full time.

You’ve made somewhat of a splash pretty early into the year. Do you expect to be riding for a program of some nature in 2011?
Yes I'm really hoping to stay on KTMs I really like the bike but I’m not sure if they really know I'm out here. I think that if I can get on a good team and have good equipment I think that I can really progress and make some team manager out there look really smart for hiring me. However, right now it's my job to make sure they can't ignore me.

Give us overview of your most memorable accomplishments as an amateur and what will you miss most about the amateur nationals.
Amateurs really weren't that good for me till my last two years. Most memorable would probably be Ponca City 2009, because I think I would have won a championship last year. I won a couple heats, but I ended up breaking my wrist in the first final. That was a big bummer. I think the thing I'll miss the most is just being at those races for a week they were fun, I got to hang out with friend, now in the pro ranks you race one day and you’re off to the next one.

Who would you like to thank?
Mom and Dad.  My sister Janey for putting up with me and dad being gone.  My grandparents and Uncle Lee for understanding all the crazy things we do and supporting me anyway they can.  Companies like TLD, LeoVince, 3 brothers KTM, Cosworth, Racetech, TCX Boots, EVS, RK, Excel, Utopia Optics, Factory Services, Dunlop, Stealthworks, Milestone MX, No Toil, Motorex, TI Fuels, and of course Rusk Racing Decals.