Demo Derby back in Goldendale
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Top prize in the 35th running of the Goldendale Jaycees' demolition derby was won by Dan Young, of Goldendale. It was a hard-fought, well deserved victory for Young, racing in his second Fourth of July event as a driver, having three other years under his belt as a mechanic.
Young won $100 for his group one, heat two victory and $500 for being last car running in the final, eight car battle. Young was almost a casualty of a roll-over in the final, when Chris Evans, of Goldendale, put Young's left side tires in the air with a hard, driver side lick. The two cars were momentarily stuck together until Alia Randall stuck her nose into the wreck and split the cars apart.
Young also had a spirited heat battle with Kenny Graff, including a hard head-on crash that helped to finish off Graff. The two cars were hooked together at the end, but Young was declared the winner.
Randall, a first year driver from Goldendale, played cat and mouse with veteran driver, Dale Arp, of Normandy Park in the second heat, finally getting a shot at Arp's right rear tire, which sealed his fate and gave Randall the win and $100.
Other prize money winners were Cody Beeks, of Glenwood, winning heat one, group two, and $350 for second place in the final race. Beeks was also the winner of the time trials for $50. Evans won $250 for finishing third in the final event.
Graff, of Goldendale was the $50 winner of the People's Choice award, and won $100 for the heat one, group one win. Charles Browning, of Goldendale took home hard luck consolation money of $50.
The derby was testimony to the skills of the mechanics, who managed to get eight of the 10 entries into the finals, in spite of some serious chassis and wheel damage during the heats.
There was also spirited action between heats with races of four-wheelers and motor-cross bikes. The top three in the under 10 division of quads were Justin Slater, of Goldendale, first, J.J. Cooper, of Goldendale, second, and Martin Carter, of The Dalles, third. Two riders ran in the over 10 division, with Cameron Reed taking the measure of Robbie Johnson, both riders from Goldendale.
The 125cc bike race was won by Kylar Ulibarri, of Vancouver. Second was Dennis Jussila, or Goldendale, and third was Garrett Carter, of The Dalles. The 250cc division was dominated by James Gannon, of Mosier, followed by Goldendale's Richard Slawson, and Jim Carter, of The Dalles.
A special feature was a ramp to wreck jump by stunt car driver, James Smith, of Lyle. Smith was the driver of Bumblebee in the Transformers movie and has driven in many live shows in the area.
The derby drew approximately 1,500 spectators and earned about $8,000 for Jaycees' community projects and scholarships, according to Casey Durant, Jaycees secretary.
Smith girls swim in Oregon state championship
Goldendale swimmers, Jade Smith and Nadia Smith will swim at the Oregon state championships in Albany this weekend, after qualifying in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle races two weeks ago in The Dalles. Nadia also qualified in the 200, 50 and 100 meter butterfly, 50 and 100 meter back stroke, and the 200 intermediate medley.
The girls, members of The Dalles swim team, will also swim in relays with Hannah Weeks and Gracie McLoughlin, of The Dalles. Nadia set six new personal records at The Dalles meet, and Jade set five personal best times.
Also competing from Goldendale were Hailey Bigbie, sixth in the 100 breast stroke, Teigan Holaday, who knocked 29.24 seconds off her best time in the 50 meter freestyle, Torey Holaday, who was 11th in 100 back stroke and 100 freestyle, Dallas Husky, fifth in the 200 breast stroke, Alyssa Merry, 12.56 seconds faster in the 50 meter back stroke, and Devon Shea, who swam in the 50 back stroke and 50 and 100 freestyle events.
The team practices in Goldendale on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Anyone interested can still join the team.
Goldendale women take golf honors
The Goldendale team of Jodi Bellamy, Dorothy Miller, Sherrye Morrison and Jenna Anderson scored second best gross score at the 35th Annual Sasquatch tournament in The Dalles. Bellamy and Miller had top honors for best daily team, best ball score for their Saturday round. Anderson was winner of the closest drive to the line competition. Three of the women are members of the Goldendale Golf Club. Anderson is a former resident, living in Vancouver.
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