North Adams wins Barnyard Olympics

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

The theme for the 2024 Adams County Fair was “Rooted in Tradition” and one of the traditions of the fair in recent years occurs on the final night, the Barnyard Olympics. The Olympics pits athletes from the county’s high schools in a farm-related relay competition, with cash prizes going to the athletic department of the winners. The event is sponsored and organized by the Adams County Regional Medical Center.

This year’s competition took place on the evening of July 13 and this year only included three competitors- North Adams, West Union and Manchester. The event was emceed by Don Bowles from C103 Radio and officiated by Phil Rhonemus.

The trio of 10-player squads competed in such events as Watering the Animals, Needle in a Haystack, Dinner’s Ready: Farm to Table, Cattle Herding and The Farmer’s Race. Winners of each event were awarded 100 points, second place 75 points and third place 50 points.

When all was said and done, the winner of the $1,ooo first prize was North Adams, with West Union collection $750 for second and Manchester $500 for third.

The winners from NAHS were coached by Jeff Raines and Duncan Hesler and included: Karlie Kennedy, Ian Raines, Tatum Grooms, Connor Young, Dalton Pence, McKenna Shelton, Katelynn Boerger, Colin Tolle and Preston Call.

Seco0nd place West Union was coached by Kiersten Rowe and team members included: Violet Randolph, Gavin Rowe, Trae Grooms, Teegan Knox, Darius Davis, Shelby Weakley, Ashlah Staten, Emmy Stapleton, Jocelyn Hall and Annabelle McIntosh.

Third place Manchester was led by Aaron Lockhart and representing their school were: Ryan Butcher-Raines, Maddie Dunn, Jaycee Farley, Ronnie Elam, Braylen Roberts, Leland Horner, Malaki Bayless, Rylie Young, Jaylise Applegate and Chloe Freeman.

Photos from the Barnyard Olympics can be found on the People’s Defender Facebook page.