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 Many
people were out cheering on the competitors, encouraging them to
keep pushing as they appeared to tire out. Along with several
veteran competitors were a few new ones.
Women’s firewood split
First up was the women’s firewood split.
Bob Rankin, competition announcer, explained the rules for the
women’s firewood split. Rankin said they needed to try to cut six
pieces of firewood out of the two logs they were given.
This year, there were just three women involved in this competition.
Those competitors were Heidi Mueller, Jenn White and Lina Cui.
Mueller, White, Cui
First place for the women’s firewood competition went to reigning
champion Heidi Mueller. Second place went to Jenn White and third
place to Lina Cui.
Each of them was presented with a certificate and cash prize.
Team Rail Split
Next up was the team rail split. For this competition, there were
five teams. The teams were made up of Casey Ballinger and Ryan
Ballinger, Matthew Huskins and Austyn Huskins, Jonathan Norin and
Bryce Muir, Zach Darnall and Cody Friedlein and Roy Usrey and Heidi
Mueller.
For this competition, teams were required to split a
large log into eight rails with each of them taking turns splitting.
The rules said that each rail had to be a clean split clearly
separate from the other rail. In addition, all tools and wedges had
to be removed from the work area. When the team’s work was done, the
competitor called time. The timing judge would then inspect the area
to make sure all rails were separate, and all tools removed.
The conditions of the logs made it a challenge for the splitters.
Some logs appeared be straight grained and split easily, while
others appeared to be made of tougher threads of wood.
In this competition, Ryan Ballinger and Casey Ballinger’s team was
neck and neck with Zach Darnall and Cody Friedlein’s team. The
Ballinger team edged ahead and ended up beating the Darnall and
Friedlein team by over four minutes.
Casey and Ryan Ballinger, Zach
Darnall, Cody Friedlein, Bryce Muir and Jon Norin
First place for the team railsplit was Ryan Ballinger and Casey
Ballinger, who finished at 21:20. Second place went to Zach Darnall
and Cody Friedlein with a time of 25:48 and third place went to Jon
Norin and Cody Friedlein with a time of 30:19. Each person on the
team was presented with a certificate and a cash prize.
Men’s Crosscut Competition
The men’s crosscut competition brought out a bigger crew with
thirteen teams men competing. There were a few people who competed
more than once in this competition, pairing up with a different
person each time.
The competing teams were made up of Ryan Ballinger and Wyatt
Reinhart, Ryan Ballinger and Casey Ballinger, Wyatt Reinhart and
Casey Ballinger, Jon Norin and Bryce Muir, Jon Norin and Josh
Hardman, Bryce Muir and Josh Hardman, Mark Hardman and Josh Hardman,
Bryce Muir and Mark Hardman, Cody Friedlein and Jon Norin, Cody
Friedlein and Zach Darnall, Michael Prater and Larry Prater, Roy
Usery and Jon Norin and Mark Hardman and Jon Norin.
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In this competition, teams of two men used a large crosscut saw
pushing ang pulling it to make the quickest cut possible. Timing
starts after the team made a small cut into the log. When the
“cookie” [round piece] from the log hits the ground, timing ends.
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
First place in the men’s crosscut with a time of 11.56 seconds was
Michael Prater and Larry Prater. Second place with a time of 12.63
was Cody Friedlein and Jon Norin and third place with a time of
14.18 was Casey Ballinger and Cody Friedlein.
As in the other competitions, each person on the top three teams was
presented with a certificate and a cash prize.
Jack and Jill Crosscut Competition
The Jack and Jill crosscut competition also brought out several with
thirteen male and female teams participating. As with the men’s
crosscut competition, there were some that competed more than once
by pairing up with different people.
Competing pairs in this competition were Greg White and Jenn White,
Matthew Huskins and Haley Huskins, Elaine Norin and Jonathan Norin,
Savannah Bartch and Roy Usery, Cory Friedlein and Heidi Mueller, Jon
Norin and Savannah Bartch, Larry and Chelsea Doubledee, Cody
Friedlein and Elain Norin, Heidi Mueller and Michael Prater, Adam
Logan and Shirley Logan and Heidi Mueller and Jon Norin.
Heidi Mueller appeared to be an ideal person to pair up with as she
was part of all three top teams. First place in the Jack and Jill
competition with a time of 11.4 seconds was Heidi Mueller and Cody
Friedlein. Second place with a time of 13.31 seconds was Heidi
Mueller and Larry Prater and third place with a time of 15.26
seconds was Heidi Mueller and Michael Prater.
As in the other competitions, they all received a certificate and a
cash prize.
Throughout the weekend, there are a number of contests the
competitors can participate in. A numerical score is assigned to the
top competitors as each winner is determined.
At the end of the weekend, after the professional splitting
competition is done, scores from all competitions are tallied up.
The one with the highest overall score receives an overall splitter
award.
Whether a long time competitor or new to the competition scene,
those who participate are part of a long standing tradition in
Lincoln and Logan County. Though it is hard work, those in the
competitions give it their all.
[Angela Reiners] |
