ROUND 2 YOUTH RACE REPORT

US Sprint Enduro Round 2
Mac Daddy’s XC Paradise
February 21-22, 2026
Hephzibah, GA
Written By: Nancy Schlag
Photos by: Jade Barnes Casey Co.

Our Youth and Micro racers narrowly avoided the worst of Mother Nature on Saturday, completing all Day 1 racing on both the Enduro and Cross Tests before heavy rain began falling late in the afternoon. The final rounds of racing wrapped up just as the weather moved in, allowing the young competitors to escape the brunt of the storm.

Overnight rain continued at Mac Daddy’s, leaving the course saturated heading into Sunday. The Trail Pros crew worked diligently to salvage conditions and made significant improvements where possible. However, due to the depth and standing water in the woods, the Day 2 Enduro Tests were ultimately canceled for Youth and Micro divisions.

The program continued Sunday with Cross Tests only, and despite the challenging conditions, the riders delivered an impressive display of determination and adaptability. Even in the mud and ruts, the next generation rose to the occasion and put on a strong day of racing.

Youth Top 10 Overall Results

Philip Arnold (Husqvarna) – Super Mini Sr. – 1:10:01.830
Caleb Johnson (KTM) – Super Mini Sr. – 1:11:38.341
Maddix Wiggins (KTM) – Super Mini Sr. – 1:11:42.864
Nolan O’Leary (KTM) – Super Mini Sr. – 1:12:44.778
Gage Lane (GasGas) – Super Mini Jr. – 1:13:59.848
Marshall Hauser (KTM) – Super Mini Sr. – 1:14:39.738
Cash Knecht (GasGas) – 85 Jr. – 1:17:11.176
Ben McDougald (KTM) – 85 Jr. – 1:18:44.516
Aubrey Tsakanikas (KTM) – Girls – 1:20:53.436
Mason Ramsey (KTM) – 85 Jr. – 1:20:55.108

Let’s take a look at the Top 5 in each class!

Super Mini Senior (14–15) Delivers Elite-Level Pace

The Super Mini Senior division once again proved why it is the premier youth stepping stone within the U.S. Sprint Enduro program. Fourteen- and fifteen-year-old competitors completed 10 timed tests across two demanding days, setting the overall benchmark for the entire youth field.

Super Mini Senior Results

Philip Arnold (Husqvarna) – 1:10:01.830
Caleb Johnson (KTM) – 1:11:38.341
Maddix Wiggins (KTM) – 1:11:42.864
Nolan O’Leary (KTM) – 1:12:44.778
Marshall Hauser (KTM) – 1:14:39.738

Philip Arnold delivered the standout performance of the weekend, clocking a 1:10:01 total time across 10 tests — the fastest youth combined time of the event. His consistency across both cross and enduro tests separated him from the field and earned him a special FMF Racing prize.

Behind him, Caleb Johnson and Maddix Wiggins battled closely, separated by just over four seconds in total time after more than 70 minutes of racing — a testament to the razor-thin margins at the top of the class.

The top four Super Mini Seniors all finished inside a 2 minute, 43 second window, demonstrating both the depth and intensity of competition at this level.

As the final youth progression class before full-sized machinery, Super Mini Senior continues to serve as the proving ground for riders preparing to move into larger displacement competition. The speed, endurance, and test-riding precision required at this level closely mirrors what athletes will face in upper amateur and pro divisions.

Super Mini Junior Breaks Into the Overall Top Five

Gage Lane (GasGas) placed wone the Super Mini Jr class and finished 5th overall in Youth Overall competition with a 1:13:59 total time, proving the depth of the Super Mini Junior class.

He was joined on the podium by:
2. Donnie Ryan
3. Weston Fredette

Lane’s performance against older competition underscores the progression within the Junior ranks.

Gage Lane delivered another composed performance, overcoming wet late-day tests on Saturday and adjusting quickly Sunday after early confusion on course lines.

“The first day went okay — it was really wet for the last two tests,” Lane said. “Today I was a little confused on the first test, but once Maddox and I started pushing each other, we both went faster.”

85 Senior

1. Tanner Ragland 2. Cameron Kennedy

Ragland showcased impressive composure in difficult conditions.

“The first day was good early, but the last two tests were pretty wet,” he said. “Today it was deep but there wasn’t much slickness — there was a lot of traction where the sun hit it.”

His ability to open up the course as it dried helped secure the class win.

85 Junior

1. Cash Knecht
2. Ben McDougald
3. Mason Ramsey
4. Morris Sackanikis
5. Cason Knecht

Cash Knect handled both muddy and sticky conditions throughout the weekend.

“Yesterday was pretty good, but the last two were muddy and slick. Today the first test was super sticky — it just sucked you down,” he said.

Despite that, Knect delivered a commanding performance.

65 Senior

1. Wyatt Zejac
2. Oliver Stewart
3. Emma Corns
4. Olivia Williams
5. Everson Bentley

Wyatt Zejac went 1-1 on the weekend, overcoming standing water Saturday and deep mud Sunday.

“It was pretty good at the start, and then it started to get really muddy at the end,” he said.

65 Junior

1. Hunter Arnold
2. Carter Ragland
3. Lincoln Maier
4. Willow Maier

Despite describing Sunday as “way too muddy,” Arnold powered through slick conditions to take the win.

Girls Division

1. Aubrey Tsakanikas
2. Riley Anderson
3. Daisy Wilkins
4. Macy Ryan 5. Kenzie Conner

Riley Anderson showed notable improvement from Day 1 to Day 2.

“Yesterday was slick and I realized I really needed to pick it up,” Anderson said. “Today it got deep, but I rode a lot better.”

She thanked her dad, her sister, Thor Racing, KTM, Landers KTM, Alpinestars, and her supporters.

The continued growth of the Girls division reflects the expanding depth of female talent within the series.

Micro Overall: The Foundation of the Future

The youngest competitors in the U.S. Sprint Enduro program once again demonstrated remarkable toughness and determination at Mac Daddy’s. Competing in the 50cc Senior and 50cc Junior divisions, micro riders completed up to 10 timed tests across two days — a true introduction to structured sprint-format racing.

Micro Top 10 Overall Results

Declan Zajac (GasGas) – 45:48.407
Deacon Cochran (GasGas) – 52:54.880
Bodie Alering (Cobra) – 53:08.377
Kyson Smith (KTM) – 56:54.471
William Cochran (KTM) – 1:04:10.663
Dylan Jolly (GasGas) – 1:20:12.391
Laurel Maxwell (GasGas) – 1:26:47.251
Henry Bentley (KTM) – 1:39:17.460
Kelyn Stewart (GasGas) – 1:01:13.377*
Alden Tsakanikas (KTM) – 1:08:44.213*

Declan Zajac delivered one of the most impressive performances of the weekend, completing all 10 tests in under 46 minutes — a commanding margin at the top of the field. His consistency across both cross and enduro sections separated him early and established the overall pace for the Micro program.

Deacon Cochran and Bodie Alering battled closely for the remaining podium positions, separated by just over 13 seconds after nearly 53 minutes of racing — an incredible margin considering their age and the demanding course conditions.

Despite deepening ruts and muddy sections, multiple riders completed the full 10-test format, reinforcing the strength of the Micro development structure within the series.

50cc Senior

1. Declan Zejac
2. Deacon Cochran
3. Kyson Smith
4. Laurel Maxwell
5. Kellyn Stewart

Declan Zejac raced to victory while recovering from a broken collarbone.

“Day one was good. Day two got rough and deep, but I still got it,” he said.

50cc Junior

1. Bodie Allerine
2. William Cochran
3. Dylan Jolly
4. Henry Bentley
5. Alden Tsaknikas

The youngest competitors in the field once again showed confidence and composure well beyond their years, navigating challenging test conditions in true sprint enduro fashion.

Early Development in Real Race Conditions

Unlike abbreviated exhibition formats, U.S. Sprint Enduro’s Micro program introduces young riders to:

Timed test structure
Line selection under pressure
Two-day race endurance
Changing terrain and conditions
Podium experience in a national-level setting

This early exposure builds confidence, race awareness, and composure long before riders advance to 65cc and beyond.

Round 2 once again confirmed that the future of American off-road racing is not just coming — it is already developing inside the Micro ranks.

MEDIA: Picture Links for Round 2

Afternoon – RD 2 Sprint Enduro by Casey Co.

Youth – Rd 2 Sprint Enduro by Casey Co.

Mac Daddy’s U.S. Sprint Enduro 2026 round 2 – DirtBike Dream Photos