ROUND 1 YOUTH RACE REPORT
Southland Sprint Youth Race Report
2026 US Sprint Enduro Series
Southland Sprint (RD 1)
Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026
Climax Motorsports Park
Climax, Georgia
By Shan Moore
Photos by Jade Barnes
Despite cold temperatures, the racing was hot and furious in the youth classes at this
weekend’s Southland Sprint at Climax Motorsports Park in Climax, Georgia.
Overall, the Youth division finished up with Phillip Arnold (Hsq), Maddix Wiggins (KTM) and GasGas
rider Gage Lane (Super Mini Jr), rounding out the top three.
In the Super Mini Sr class, Philip Arnold (Hsq) was Impressive both days, going 1-1 to beat out KTM
rider Maddix Wiggins’ 2-2 and GasGas-mounted Nolan O’Leary’s 5-3.
“I had as pretty good day yesterday, but today was a little rougher,” said Arnold.
In the Super Mini Jr class, Gage Lane (GG) took top honors with a 2-1 finish to beat second place
finisher Jhenner Walker (GG) and Syla Huffman (GG) in third.
“I put myself in a hole on the first two tests each day,” said Lane but then I came on stronger later in
the day.”
The 85 Senior class was won by Max Williams (GG); going 1-1 and distancing himself from second
place by about three-and-a-half seconds ahead of Donnie Ryan (KTM) and Malachi York (KTM).
“I’m a motocross rider so I definitely liked the Cross test,” said Williams. “Today was pretty slick and I
struggled in the woods but it was really fun.”
Cash Knecht (GG) Ben McDougald (KTM) and Mason Ramsey went 1-2-3 in a very competitive 85 Jr
division. McDougald went 6-1 over the course of the two days to finish second while Knecht went 2-2
for the overall win. Jack Sipes (KTM) took the win on Saturday.
“It was freezing cold and on the second to last lap of the cross test I ate it,” said Knecht. “I just put my
head down and caught on the last two.”
Olivia Williams (Kaw) took the win in the 65 Sr class, with Wyatt Zajac (Hsq) and Luke Taylor (KTM)
finishing second and third. Williams went 3-2 for the overall win.
“I like riding in the woods so the
Enduro test was the best for me,” said Williams.
Hunter Arnold went 1-1 for the win and was fastest 65 rider of the weekend. Lincoln Maier (Hsq) was
second ahead of Willow Meier.
Tsakanikas
In the Girls class, Riley Anderson (KTM) was third overall ahead of, Kenzie Conner (KTM), while Aubrey
Tsakanikas (KTM) went 2-1 for the overall win.
“It was a good weekend, I sucked on day one and Kenzie took the win,” said Tsakanikas. “But I figured
it out on Sunday.”
In the 50 Sr class, Nathan Zhang picked up where he left off last year, taking the overall win with a 2-1
finish ahead of fellow GasGas rider Dedan Zajac’s 1-2.
Alden Tsakanikas (KTM) won both days to complete the sweep for the overall win, topping Beckett
Hardcastle (KTM) in second and Ziggy Girroir (KTM) in third.
“Definitely I had the most fun on the Enduro test, “said Tsakanikas. “It was a little cold but fun.”
Looking for Pictures?
Casey Co. Photography – link coming soon!
Complete Results HERE
The US Sprint Enduro Series returns to action on February 21-22, 2026 for round 2 of its series at Mac
Daddy’s XC Paradice in Hephziban, Georgia. For more info on the US Sprint Enduro Series go to
www.ussprintenduro.com
