Race Coverage

Daniel's Minnesota Debut...

Monday, 08 August 2016 06:10

WASECA SPRINT - Our state's newest pro, Daniel Bretscher, raced for the first time on MInnesota soil last Saturday at the 8th annual Waseca Sprint.

He won.

The transplanted Hoosier-turned-Iowan-now-Loon-Stater, who resides in Northfield where his wife coaches track at St. Olaf College, covered the new sprint route--the swim and bike were lengthened--in 1:10:38. Very solid. Coming off an extended injury--Waseca was his first multisport race of the 2016 season--the amiable former US Athlete of the Year (2007) and 2014 Ironman Wisconsin winner, was pleased with his effort.

Finishing 2nd was the men's amateur winner Brooks Grossinger (1:11:27), who now has at least 28 multisport victories on his career scorecard....

Hartland, Minnesota's dapper Mitch Brekke, a rising AG star in our region, rounded out the men's podium (photo above).

Leading the way for the women was former Minnesota Rookie of the Year (2002) and Master of the Year nominee Joyce Bourassa. An elite distance runner and occasional multisporter, the 48-year-old Lakeville-ian plans to race more tris an dus in the future, noting that cross training is easier on her body than running only.

Joyce's 1:26:15 put her slightly more than six minutes in front of second-placing Kimberly Case, and 3rd placer, Kris Anderson, who also finished 3rd at Elysian earlier this season. FYI, Kris' 13-year-old daughter Eve, won the women's title in the new Waseca Supersprint (220 yards- 6 miles - 2 miles). Jim Nack, 56, won the men's SS.

Unlike 2015, the Waseca racers enjoyed perfect racing conditions, and many were highly complimentary of the beautiful courses and event execution.

Including the kids event, 239 participants finished Waseca VIII. RESULTS