The 2023 Little 500 is officially in the books and Phi Kappa Psi finished on the lead lap for the fifth consecutive race. Phi Psi is one of only four teams to do so in the last five races (Cutters, Jet Black/Delts, & Sig Ep), with two of those teams winning. We continue to do the right things year-round and remain committed to winning #8!
Our senior, Carson Etnyre, rode a race for the ages! His incredible 125 lap-effort included making up a half-lap deficit after freshman Hunter Jones was caught in a wreck on the backstretch on lap 53. Around lap 75, Sigma Phi Epsilon made an effort to lap the pack and was able to reel our men into their sights. After being a lap down, our four riders, basically working on their own, made the incredible comeback to get us back on the lead lap with only four other teams. Carson went on the bike at lap 164 and rode the remaining 36 laps to end the race in a sprint for the finish. Phi Psi ended in a photo finish for 4th, a mere one second behind the winning Cutters team. Carson’s ride was truly an amazing a performance, arguably one of the greatest single-ride efforts in Phi Psi’s illustrious Little 500 history.
The future continues to look bright as Coach Dan Gaz returns three of our riders for next year: Hunter, Kaleb Cooper, and Albert Schaffer. They will continue our commitment to leave it all all on the the track, never give up, and make the Little 500 exciting for Phi Kappa Psi!
The team wants to extend a huge thank you to all of their Phi Psi brothers, both undergraduate and alumni. As always, our cheering section was electric and plays a major part in motivating our team to compete at the highest level. Alumni support is for sure one of our our competitive advantages and thank you to all those alums who supported the team through donations and words of encouragement. In particular, a huge shout out to the Class of ’73 for having their 50th reunion at the race this year, as well as making a very generous donation to the team. LEDN PKP!!!
Pre-race wisdom from one great Phi Psi rider to another: the immortal Dave Blase and Carson.
Do you know any great HS athletes interested in considering our bike team?
Please refer them to Scott Gilreath gilreath5@gmail.com