Standing out from the pack: Girl makes history at Pinewood Derby
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STEUBENVILLE -- It was off to the races at Fort Steuben Mall on Saturday as nearly 200 signed up for and participated in the 2020 Boy Scouts of America Two Chiefs District's Pinewood Derby, and history was made.
Reagan Huggins of Pack 334 in Weirton took home first place in the competition.
"She (Huggins) is the first girl who has ever placed in the finals, and she certainly made a bit of history," Joe Kovaleski said.
Kovaleski, longtime derby chairman, said this is the second year in which girls have participated in the event.
As always there was a huge assortment of cars in the mix, each with a unique design.
"It's always been a popular event, and this year we've had a higher participation rate than last year," Kovaleski said. "We've had an additional 20 racers."
Saturday's events included the final rounds of elimination races and the ultimate race to discover the top six finishers. Trophies were awarded to those final six winners. Derby patches were given to every racer, and race ribbons were awarded to the heat winners.
Kylar Brockway, 10, of Mingo Junction and a Pack 415 member, was excited about his chances going into Saturday's elimination races.
"I feel good because I won in the first rounds," Brockway said. "We've been working on the car for a couple of weeks."
Brockway pointed to his father, Cory, and said it was a team effort which included a lot of tweaks to the pinewood creation just days before the big event.
It's that type of bonding and togetherness that matters most to Kovaleski, and it's why he has stood by the event since 1987 when his sons were in Scouting.
"I like working with parents and other volunteers," Kovaleski said. "But this is for the kids. They get a chance to create something and learn a good bit about friendly competition."
When the dust settled, the following results were recorded at this year's event: First place, Reagan Huggins from Pack 334 in Weirton; second place, John (JP) Wilson from Pack 269 in Cadiz; third-place, Jacob Ramsey from Pack 20 in Richmond; fourth place, Robbie Glover from Pack 334 in Weirton; fifth place, Roman Bowers from Pack 401 in Steubenville; and sixth place, Dugan Mills from Pack 20 in Richmond.
The Two Chiefs District, Ohio River Valley Council, encompasses Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia and Jefferson and Harrison counties in Ohio. It covers from New Manchester on the West Virginia side down to Bethany and on the Ohio side from Wellsville, the farthest north, down into Martins Ferry.
Last year's derby included the participation of girls, a first for the local event, and the trend grew in 2020.
"We were double last year's participation rate for girls," Kovaleski noted. "It's good to see, and this year Reagan was able to win the entire thing."
Along with the volunteers, Kovaleski thanked Fort Steuben Mall officials and various businesses like The Ville, Touch of Elegance Bakery, Great American Cookies, Texas Roadhouse and Celebrations among others.
In Friday night action, races were held and awards were given in two categories.
Family race stock class winners were: Jason Hawkins, Pack 41 in Toronto, first place; Karen Hill, Troop 415 in Wintersville, second place; Robert Kovaleski, District committee, Steubenville, third place; Jenn Altieri, Pack 415, fourth place; Zach Bryan, Troop 415, fifth place; and Ed Hill, Troop 334 in Weirton, sixth place.
Family race hot rod class winners were: Joe Kovaleski, District committee, Steubenville, first place; Ed Hill, Troop 415, Wintersville, second place; Robert Kovaleski, District committee, third place; Karen Hill, Troop 415, fourth place; Suzan Kovaleski, District committee, fifth place; and Joe Eltringham, Pack 41 in Toronto, sixth place.
Overall, the derby involves an age range spanning from kindergarten through age 11.
The local Pinewood Derby event has been a tradition for many years and used to be held at The Hub in downtown Steubenville.