Race Previews

Young Life Sprint Preview...

Saturday, 08 August 2020 23:10

YOUNG LIFE SPRINT XVII - Two-hundred, perhaps a few more than that, triathletes are set to compete next Saturday at the 17th edition of this terrific event. We were allowed to take a peek at the registration list last week, and several names  jumped off the page, starting with men's course record holder BRANDEN SCHEEL, who in the last year has relocated from Fargo to Johnstown, Colorado. 

Branden may need to rival or eclipse his 2018 course best 56:54 if he hopes to chalk up yet another YLT victory. The guy he needs to keep behind him is fellow native North Dakotan and Scheel's employee ANDREW "AJ" MANNING. AJ rocked a 2nd against a stellar field at Big Lake recently, and also raced to what we assume is a fine result at Green Lake. (This post was written prior to the GL Triathlon.)  Does that mean he's ready to challenge Branden? We're anxious to find out.

Keeping Scheel and Manning honest will be a pair of elite Minnesota masters, DAVID LEWIS of Nevis, and MARIO MINELLI of Kasson. Top 10 performances will likely be turned in by a pair of Young Life's "ususal suspects," BLAKE STEINBRING (Alexandria) and JAMES BOTNEN (Kindred, ND).

SIMONE LUNDQUIST, 18, has won the last two editions of this event, though a three-peat may not be in the cards this time. To do so she will have to outrace JOELLEN KOHLMAN PETRICK and Branden Steel's girlfriend ALEXA STALLWORTH, who we will not bet against. Her results at Nationals last year, in our opinion, gives her a sturdy edge. We see Stallworth prevailing with Lundquist and Kohlman-Petrick fightng over the other two podium spots. All three women should post fast times.

The 2020 YL Sprint will probably have filled by the time you read this. If that is the case, drive to Detroit Lakes anyway and watch a great event unfold.