Soap Box Derby winners

Faith Ruikka had some hard-fought races to win the championship in the 6-year-old division of the Brainerd Lakes Downhill Drags Soap Box Derby on Aug. 28.

Ruikka raced Turner Person and Kayla Ruikka twice each to gain the championship. Ruikka's car won by inches as she crossed the finish line in the Brainerd Lakes No. 88 car sponsored by the Moose, Eagles, Shep's on 6th and the Brainerd Elks Club.

In the 7-8-year-old division, 7- year-old Haley Ponthieux took home the championship. She sent Sydney Johnson, Kristen Ponthieux, and Crystal Churchill to the loser's bracket.

Churchill raced back to the championship through the losers' bracket, beating Sydney Johnson, to get a second chance at Ponthieux in the blue 176 Kendall Car.

Ponthieux was defeated by Churchill in the first race but Ponthieux's driving ability took her across the finish line first for the championship. It was Ponthieux's second straight championship.

In the consolation division, Kristen Ponthieux defeated Nathan Schmidt for the championship.

Morgan Gilbert showed her driving talents by taking home the championship trophy in the 9-10-year-old division, beating Christopher Churchill twice. Churchill went through the winners' bracket, defeating Charles Arvidson and Brant Dabil. Gilbert clawed her way back in the losers' bracket by beating Kayla Jacobson, Charles Arvidson, and Courtney Eschenbacher before meeting Churchill for the championship.

With her head down and eyes barely showing, she cruised past Churchill and had to race a second time. Gilbert beat Churchill by inches for the championship.

Danny Murray defeated Anna Houseman from Hutchinson for the consolation championship.

Twins Adam and Sara Kleist raced for the championship in the 11-up division. Adam Kleist raced to the championship undefeated, sending Sara to the losers' bracket. Sara Kleist then beat Tylan Eschenbacher for another chance at Adam for the championship and Adam raced to the victory.

Ryan Houseman of Hutchinson defeated Ben Houseman of Moorhead for the consolation championship.