Local teen Meghan Frantz wins the All-American Soap Box Derby and is named World Champion
World Champion. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? And to be named, along with your picture, in ESPN’s Top Ten Plays of the Day?
For local teenager Meghan Frantz of New Philadelphia, who was a contestant in the 74th annual All-American Soap Box Derby, held in Akron, Ohio, her dream of holding a World Champion title came true on Saturday, July 23, when she topped racers from across the USA and around the world in the Derby Rally Masters Division. She is the daughter of Dave and Christa Frantz.
“I was excited just to be able to compete there,” said the 16 year old, who will be a junior at New Philadelphia High School this fall. “My goal was just to win one heat.”
When Meghan finally went down the hill for the final heat, she found the experience to be surreal.
“I was way down in the car, and couldn’t see anything but the track directly in front of me. I didn’t know what place I was when I got to the finish line. Then, all of a sudden, there are all these cameras and microphones pointed at me, and people were shouting questions at me. I was dazed as the derby people were helping get me out of my car, and someone shouted, ‘How does it feel to win the All-American Soap Box Derby?’ Then it hit me,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I had actually won!”
As the winner, the teen received a large trophy and a $2.000 college scholarship, along with other prizes.
“I never dreamed this. Never. Not once. I had no designs on it,” admitted her father, Dave, whose face showed he was still in awe of his daughter winning. “I don’t know if I’m completely comprehending it just yet. Of all the things you could do in your life, to be able to say you’re the World Champion, is just great. Very few people can say that. We couldn’t be prouder of her. I’m a happy guy.”
“To end up in this position is something else. Going up there, I would have never thought this would be the outcome. Megan said, ‘you know, we had a great week, no matter what happens.’
Frantz explained the race process.
“They run three cars at a time up there, and if you lose once, you’re out. This cuts the field by a third right off the bat. It went from 48 to 18 in the first. Meghan said, ‘top 18 in the world, Dad, that’s not bad!’ Then they ran two cars at a time, cutting the field to nine. Then they ran three cars each, and she won that one. The final heat had three cars, running for first, second, and third. Megan won by maybe three inches. I’m so proud of her!”
Quinn Myers of Bridgeport, OH, who races out of the local derby as well, placed 2nd in the Rally Master's division.
“There were close to 500 kids who raced in different divisions, and of the six champions, five of them were girls,” noted Meghan’s father. “It has been 35 years since someone from Tuscarawas County won the World Championship. That’s a long time. Racers from all over the United States, as well as places like Japan, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and other places, competed.”
Phillip Raber of Sugarcreek won the junior championship in 1976.
“We hope this will spur a little more interest in other kids doing this, too, “ he continued. “It’s great for families. If people want to know more, call Tim Hiller at 330-343-9621. He can help anybody that is interested get involved in this. “
Dave looked fondly at his daughter as he spoke. “When we started doing this six years ago, we borrowed the first car we ever used. We went from that to being the world champion. Everybody in all those countries has the opportunity to do this, and Megan came up at the top!”