Pinewood Derby Proves a Hot Ticket

There are performances in big cities that would be tickled with the turnout enjoyed by Pack 898 at the St. Raphael's Parish Center gymnasium last Thursday night. The mood was relaxed, but attendees (the adult variety) numbered well over 100 at this year's Pinewood Derby event. Non-scout kids milled around the racecourse and cheered along with parents, other scouts, and scouting-affiliated helpers.

In the bleachers, Glasgow's Ann Kulczyk and Jimmy Freuh were among those looking forward to "open class" racing. With a mischievous grin, Freuh described previous years as, "Just a free-for-all." Moments later (and far too early to race), Kulczyk added, "Give me a car!"

Once racing began in earnest, photographer Carlos Valle commented on a collision on the track with a knowing, "Rubbin' is racing." Valle's son Santiago took second in the Bears category, and seventh overall. He was not, however, actually racing at the time when his dad spoke up. Such was the tenor of good humor throughout the evening.

Spectators were encouraged to vote for their favorite cars and contestants lined up to race along separate tracks in numbered heats, alternating tracks in the interest of fairness.

The Wolves' Braxton Potter had the win in the final (between the top two from each group), despite finishing behind Davis Tolzien in his class. See Page 6-A for a full list of winners.

In the categories voted on: Josh Gibson won Most Colorful and Most Humorous, Most Futuristic went to Malin Beck, Andy Hanson won Best Design and Best Craftsmanship, William Allen won Most Unique, Jackson Abern took Most Patriotic, Roman Fast won (wait for it) Fastest Looking, and the aforementioned Santiago Valle won Best Paint Design.

Derby 2016

Tigers:

Trevin Gibson 1

Avery Merrigan 2

Cade Hudyma 3

Rowen Kloker 4

Owen Huse 5

Malone Dale 6

Wolves:

Davis Tolzien 1

Braxton Potter 2

Cameron Nelson 3

Michael Chitty 4

Andrew Linder 5

Andy Hanson 6

Roman Fast 7

Trevor Nix 8

Chase Schultz 9

Kenny Warrior 10

Bears:

Adam Mickelson 1

Santiago Valle 2

Josh Gibson 3

Quinn Heavey 4

William Allen 5

Dylan Esaias 6

Malin Beck 7

Webelos:

Tanner White 1

Preston Rutherford 2

Ethyn Schindler 3

Jackson Bishop 4

Final Overall:

Braxton Potter 1

Davis Tolzien 2

Adam Mickelson 3

Preston Rutherford 4

Tanner White 5

Trevin Gibson 6

Santiago Valle 7

Avery Merrigan 8