Soap Box Derby sends 10 racers to championships
The 70th running of the Tuscarawas County Soap Box Derby took place June 7 on Wabash Hill in New Philadelphia. This year the county will send 10 champions to the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships in Akron — its highest number of qualifiers ever.
Three divisions were raced: Stock, Super Stock and Masters. The Stock Division featured 14 participants, Super Stock had 12 racers and the Masters Division had four. Each division winner earned a spot at the world championships, which will be held July 14-19 in Akron.
In the Stock Division, Silas Ecenbarger, 8, of Dennison took first place. He is the son of Renita and Travis Ecenbarger and a third-grader at Uhrichsville Intermediate. This will be his first trip to the All-American. He enjoys music and singing and recently won the Railroad Days talent show in Dennison. Second place went to Carson Feller, and Bryce Andres finished third.
In the Super Stock Division, Olivia Hartzler, 9, of Wooster claimed first. The daughter of Jace and Rachael Hartzler, she is entering fourth grade at Melrose Elementary. This marks her third trip to the All-American. She enjoys dancing, spending time with friends and looks forward to becoming a big sister in August. Jordan Bitticker placed second, and Christian James came in third.
In the Masters Division, Emma Davis, 18, of New Philadelphia earned first place. She is the daughter of Kenneth Davis and Lisa Watson and will be a junior at West Virginia University. This is her first All-American appearance. She enjoys sailing, bowling and spending time with friends. Megan DeLauder placed second, and Lydia Marthey came in third.
In addition to the three local champions, seven rally racers from Tuscarawas County also qualified for the All-American by accumulating points throughout the year.
Jordan Bitticker, 10, of Midvale will compete in the Rally Stock Division. He is the son of Blake and Lori Bitticker and attends Midvale Elementary. This will be his third All-American appearance.
Natalie Marthey, 10, of Massillon also will compete in Rally Stock. She is the daughter of Brian and Molly Marthey, a student at Tuslaw Middle School, and is making her third trip to Akron.
Jensen Stull, 11, of New Philadelphia will race as a Rally Stock champion. He is the son of Brian and Christy Stull and a sixth-grader at Welty Middle School. Ranked fourth in the U.S., Jensen has three wins this season and is attending his fourth All-American.
Lydia Marthey, 15, of Massillon will represent the Rally Super Stock Division. She has collected eight wins this season and is attending her fifth All-American. She also is the daughter of Brian and Molly Marthey and attends Tuslaw High School.
Hudson Stull, 14, of New Philadelphia will race in Rally Super Stock. He is ranked second nationally and has 11 wins this season. He is the son of Brian and Christy Stull and an eighth-grader at Welty Middle School. This will be his fourth All-American appearance.
Paige Marthey, 17, of Massillon will compete in the Rally Masters Division. She is the daughter of Brian and Molly Marthey and attends Tuslaw High School. This is her third time racing at the All-American.
Megan DeLauder, 19, of Ashland University also will compete in Rally Masters. She is the daughter of Shawna Richmond and a close friend of the Marthey family. She has three wins this season and is attending her second All-American.
The Tuscarawas County Soap Box Derby is open to age 7-20 in Tuscarawas, Carroll, Harrison, Coshocton and Muskingum counties. No prior experience or equipment is required. Call Brian Stull at 330-204-5711 or follow the Facebook page, Tuscarawas County Soap Box Derby.