Future bright for young South Elgin cyclist

They call her "The Powerhouse."

And her last name coincidentally rhymes with "winner."

The legs and heart of Jessi Prinner have been turning heads in the suburbs and cycling circles.

The 15-year-old South Elgin resident has been racing for just three years and already has won her share of races in several states.

She got hooked on cycling watching Lance Armstrong and others make the painful ascent of Alpe d'Heuz, the most famous mountain stage of the Tour de France.

So why does she like a sport that requires complete dedication, some solitary rides, and tolerance of extreme pain?

First of all, she says cycling is what she does best. Plus, she likes the burn from a good ride.

"I like endurance sports. I guess I'm a masochist. I like the pain of it," she says.

Lately, Prinner has been putting her Athletes By Design cycling teammates through some pain.

Her riding coach and ABD President Mike Farrell said the Streamwood High School freshman has come a long way since joining the team as a scrappy 12-year-old.

"In the beginning as a kid, she would barely keep up. Now it's topsy turvy -- we can't keep up with her," Farrell said.

Prinner cleared her bank account to buy her first racing bike, but she was involved in a bad crash and her bike frame cracked.

The ABD team pooled its resources and bought her a new Lemond carbon fiber ride.

"My team has really supported me," Prinner said.

Part of that is due to her work ethic.

Although winter makes it tough to get out, Prinner logs some serious mileage during warmer summer months.

Five days a week she's riding anywhere from 20 to 70 miles. A recovery day is a ride of "only" 25 miles.

She also mixes in two days of weight training when she's not on the road.

It's this type of work ethic that has put her on the cusp of becoming a Category 2 rider, which is one level below expert. She frequently races against women twice her age and wins.

Prinner says her mom, Jenny Cerwin, was very supportive when she decided she wanted to race.

"(Prinner) stuck with it and has never lost any motivation and enthusiasm for training and riding," Farrell said.

In addition to speed, Prinner has strong spirit, strength and stamina.

"She's got all three of those," Farrell said.

This summer, Prinner hopes to race in the four-day Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas.

"I'll be happy just to hang on, just to survive. I think it will be a good experience," Prinner said.

She also will make a trip to San Diego for the Junior National Championships.

She figures she'll have a good chance to do well after taking first place in the scratch race in the 2007 USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships.

"Driving all the way to Colorado Springs, you want to take something home with you," said Prinner, who wants to turn pro when she gets older.

Jim Cannella, a Geneva resident who has been racing for more than 10 years, recalled when Prinner first joined ABD.

"She was a typical young rider, very inexperienced and needed lots of training. She caught on and learned quickly thereafter," Cannella said, adding Prinner is an excellent climber.

"She works hard, is very determined, and beyond her years on a bike," he added.

Farrell, also owner of Prairie Path Cycles in downtown Batavia, said it's not just her teammates who help her.

"She's got a lot of support at home. Her parents are really behind her. They take her to races. If a kid doesn't have that, they don't get to race," he said, noting that cycling is not supported or recognized by area high schools.

"It almost takes extra motivation to keep yourself in this sport," Farrell said. "She's a tough kid. She's developed a lot of power. Jessie probably didn't weigh 110 pounds soaking wet when I first saw her when she was 12 years old."

David Fowls, technical director of the Illinois Cycling Association, has seen Prinner race several times while he officiated events. He said Prinner has a great future ahead of her.

"For her age and what she's accomplished so far, she's somebody that needs to be watched. As she matures, she's going to get stronger and stronger," Fowls said.

In addition to turning pro, Prinner also has her goals set high.

Chicago is one of several international cities competing to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

By then, Prinner will be 23 and in the prime of her cycling career.

"Trust me, I've already done the math. I'm hoping for it," she said. "It would be really cool."