Children drive to top spots in national kiddie tractor pull

COLUMBUS – The 2003-2004 National Kiddie Tractor Pullers Association Grand Nationals were held Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Columbus during Power Show Ohio.

More than 500 boys and girls ages 3-8 participated. Each driver in the Power Show pull had previously won first, second or third place in another NKTPA pedal pull this year.

Winners. Winners of the Ohio state championship, by age, include: Age 3-4: 1. Cole Bush, Donnelsville; 2. Nickolas Bay, Upper Sandusky; and 3. Alison Witzeman, Poland.

Age 5-6: 1. Jeremy Meinerding, Versailles; 2. Will Franicola, Madison, Pa.; and 3. Cody Gabriel, Upper Sandusky.

Age 7-8: 1. Justin Royer, New Madison; 2. Tre’ Dial, Centerburg; and 3. Brock Bonifas, Venedocia.

National champs. Top placers in the grand national event, by age, include:

Age 3-4: 1. A.J. Hart, Van Wert; 2. Hayden Hartman, Troy; and 3. Stephen Deluse, Rickbridge.

Age 5-6: 1. Cayla Seeholzer, Parma; 2. Kolby Conley, McGuffey; and 3. Jeremy Meinerding, Versailles.

Age 7-8: 1. Kody Fox, Prospect; 2. Justin Madden, Lancaster; and 3. Chris James, Ada.

Open pull. In the open pull, top finishers were:

Age 3-4: 1. Steven Waltos II, Hinckley; 2. Hope Pike, Greenville; and 3. Carlee Miller, Kalida.

Age 5-6: 1. Seth Wright, College Corner; 2. Kenneth Ray Gallion, Madison; and 3. Ryan Bertke, Anna.

Age 7-8: 1. Travis Frech, New Madison; 2. Samuel Boyce, Shelby; and 3. Ashlynn Roth, Greenville.

The 2004-2005 Grand Nationals will be held Jan. 29-30, 2005, at Power Show Ohio.