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Pinewood Derby about building more than cars

From left, Anisa Hupp, 17, a Scout with Pack 20 helps Aubree Boudreau, 7, Tiger Pack 20, and Izabella Robinson, 10, Webelo Pack 20, set up their derby cars for a race, as Jeri Lynn Boudreau, one of the event leaders, watches. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

PARKERSBURG — Cub Scouts from the Kootaga District — made up of Wood, Jackson, Wirt, Roane, Ritchie, and Calhoun counties in West Virginia and the communities of Belpre, Little Hocking, and Coolville in Ohio — competed Saturday for a chance to advance onto the Buckskin Council Championship race in Charleston.

The Scouts competed in the Pinewood Derby at West Virginia University at Parkersburg by age, and the two fastest derby cars for each age group (kindergarten through fifth grade) raced each other to find the overall first, second and third places that will advance to the Council Championship race April 18.

“I think its a great opportunity to get the young ones together and have fun,” said Jim Bennon, Kootaga district chairman.

Jeri Lynn Boudreau, chair of the day camp, said she is trying to create new events such as the Pinewood Derby to give the Scouts a chance to interact with the whole district more often.

“For me it’s getting kids together and building much more than just cars, but stronger friendships between packs,” said Boudreau.

Athena Summers, right, 8, Pack 43, Ravenswood, and Walker Payne, left, 9, of Pack 3, Parkersburg, set up their derby cars for a race. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

Boudreau said she sees how much the kids love getting together in large groups and interacting with the other packs.

“I didn’t win, but I love coming to the event. It is just so much fun,” said Athena Summers, 8, with Pack 43, Ravenswood.

The top three in each division were:

* Lion Division: first, Dylan Criss; second, Kasen Mcpherson; third, Ian Bucy.

* Tiger Division: first, Carter Duley; second, Thomas Ferebee; third, Aubree Boudreau.

A Scout lines up his derby car to race at the Pinewood Derby on Saturday in hopes of winning a spot in the Council Championship race April 18. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

* Wolf Division: first, Carter Robinson; second, Maverick Brotherton; third, Ben Grant.

* Bear Division: first, Brady Fisher; second, Noah Brooker; third, Chance Boudreau.

* Webelo One Division: first, Owen Bucy; second, Izabella Robinson; third, Ethan Lorentez

* Division Arrow of Light, also known as Webelo Two: first, Katelyn Richards; second, Owen Skinner; third, Memphis Moore.

The overall reigning champions who will be moving on to the championships were:

Each Scout engineered their own derby car design, then built and painted it to race at the Pinewood Derby on Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

* First place: Carter Duley, 6, Pack 19, Little Hocking, with a time of 2.3655 seconds.

* Second place: Brady Fisher, 9, Pack 419, Kenna, with a time of 2.3697 seconds.

* Third place: Noah Brooker, 8, Pack 19, Little Hocking, with a time of 2.3737 seconds.

This was Brooker’s first year participating and he said he started building his car in December.

“It is not just a project to be done quickly if you want good results,” said Brooker.

From left, Carter Duley, 6, of Pack 19, Little Hocking, won first overall, Brady Fisher, 9, Pack 419, Kenna, won second and Noah Brooker, 8, of Pack 19, won third. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

This year’s event also featured a Mayor’s race at noon. The race put local officials Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp, Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, Parkersburg councilwoman Sharon Kuhl, Chief Mike Pifer with the Vienna Police Department, Vienna City Attorney Russell Skogstad and West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer up against each other for bragging rights.

“This is my first time at a Scout racing event, and I am just so amazed with the talent these kids display engineering their own cars,” said Gilmer.

The Mayor’s Race’s final results for first, second and third place were:

* First: Magistrate Joe Kuhl and his wife Sharon Kuhl.

* Second: Mayor Randy Rapp.

Jace Hackney, 7, of Pack 43, Ravenswood, sets up his derby car to race Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

* Third: Chief Mike Pifer.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com

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