NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Image above: Samantha Bly practices at her home track, located at Gosnold Hope Park, with her Bicycle Moto-Cross, Pro Redline XL. Credit: Sean Smith

Samantha Bly has been coming to NASA Langley since she was two years old and grew up attending the NASA Langley Child Development Center (LCDC).

Samantha's father, Jim Bly is an engineering technician for Lockheed Martin. Samantha's father suggested that she return to NASA Langley to work a summer job in the Cafeteria serving and preparing sandwiches.

As a rising high school sophomore, Samantha's passion and skill truly begins when she leaves the Center and is reunited with her BMX racing bike.

In just a little over two years, Samantha has earned the ranking of fourth in the world, third in nationals, first in the region, first in the state and first at her home track for BMX racing.

Her BMX career began when one of her friends had his birthday party at the BMX track at Gosnold Hope Park.

"The team manager's wife, Kelly Townsend, said I should give competitive BMX racing a try, so I did," said Samantha. "The team manager, Eddie Townsend, said that I was a natural."

Samantha enjoyed BMX racing and, as she explained, "Anyone can race. No one sits the bench in this sport."

Samantha started to attend practices and racing competitions. She has enjoyed being able to travel to many different states from Florida up to Connecticut. "I've pretty much been all up and down the East Coast," said Samantha.

One of her favorite places she has visited was when she attended a BMX camp in Woodward, PA.

"It was in the middle of nowhere, but the mountains surrounded the area and when the sun would rise and set it has the best views."

Samantha was highly motivated by Eddie Townsend, the BMX team manager. Townsend played an important role in Samantha's success and she is very grateful for his guidance.

Townsend unfortunately passed away on Jan. 27. Samantha explained, "He always wanted to be at the track, even when he was sick. I could always ask him for help with anything."

His guidance will carry on with Samantha as she represents the United States at the “Worlds competition.” The competition takes place during the week of July 23rd through the 29th in Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). The top five competitors from each country qualify for this competition, in which Samantha is currently ranked fourth overall.

Samantha also explained that BMX racing will be in the 2008 Olympics for the first time. "My goal is to make it into the 2012 Olympics."

From the Child Development Center, to the Cafeteria, and on to the racing track – NASA Langley can boast about Samantha Bly, our region's number one BMX racer, steadily on the rise.

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Denise Adams
The Researcher News