Seated: (left to right): Willow Olsen – 1st place 15-16 year old – Le Mars, Luke Feuerhelm – 1st place 13-14 year old – Le Mars, Lilly Ferguson – 1st place 9-12 year old, Le Mars. Missing is Luke Skov -1st place. Standing, (left to right) Charli Grosenheider 2nd 9-12 year old – Le Mars, Nathan Zollmar – 3rd place 9-12 year old – Le Mars, Levi Brent – 3rd place 13-14 year old – Le Mars, Scott Ferguson – 2nd place 15-16 year old – Le Mars, and Dakota Olsen – 2nd place 13-14 year old – Le Mars.
(Le Mars) — Eight young local bicycle riders were recognized with awards Tuesday
evening for their achievement with various racing competitions. Each of the
bicycle riders are members of the Central Junior Cycling club with most of its
members from Le Mars and the surrounding area. The awards ceremony was held at the
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. 12 year old Dakota Olsen was one of the bicyclists
honored. He says he got interested in bicycle racing because his father
participated on RAGBRAI, the bicycle tour across Iowa. Although only 12, Olsen
actually competes in the 13-14 age group. He has been racing bicycles for just a
year, but has already won many races. Still he says it can be challenging racing
against the older students.
Olsen was awarded a 2nd place plaque during the special awards ceremony. He
recently competed in the Nationals competition held at Ashville, North Carolina.
Olsen says he practices his bike racing at a course west of the Le Mars Little
League ball parks, near Floyd Park. Olsen says his bike is similar to a typical
mountain bike, but built heavier.
The young bike rider explains the different types of bicycle races which he has
competed.
Olsen says with some bicycle races, the course may include obstacles or even sharp
turns.
Later, we will visit with another champion bicycle racer.
