Race Coverage

Swenson Wins HITS-Sarasota Sprint...

Thursday, 14 January 2021 23:10

HITS-SARASOTA SPRINT - Duluth's SHYANNE MCGREGOR was not the only Minnesotan who rocked socks at HITS-Sarasota last weekend. While she was busy crushing the women's course record in the half IM competition, 2019 Junior of the Year, and the only male teen ever to earn a spot on Team MInnesota (2020), KYLE SWENSON, 19, was outrunning talented Iowan REECE LINDER, the man who beat a stellar group of guys at  Maple Grove Olympic in 2018, en route to a victory in the sprint race.

Third fastest out of the water in the 147-finisher event, he then out-transitioned his rivals. A strong bike split wasn't quite enough to catch Linder, who has concentrated on cyling the last two seasons, but another Kevin O-Connor-esque quick transition, followed by a 16:25 5K, the fastest run split of  the day, delivered Swenson to the finish line in 58:15, 17-seconds in front of runner-up Linder.

Kyle and Reece were the only athletes to crack the elite one-hour mark....

Third place was earned University of Minnesota triathlete, QUINTON KNEELAND (1:00:48).

Swenson now has three career triathlon wins, a number that is expected to grow significantly in 2021 and beyond. RESULTS