North Adams High School- Barnyard Olympics Champion
Manchester High School- Tie, Second Place
West Union High School- Tie, Second Place
Peebles High School- Third Place
By Mark Carpenter
People’s Defender
The four high schools in Adams County compete with each other in the various sports arena from August to March, but for one night in July each year, they compete in a much different venue. A Saturday night tradition at the Adams Fair is the Barnyard Olympics, where student/athletes from North Adams, Manchester, West Union and Peebles battled it out in the center ring in a series of event revolving around a “barnyard” theme, hence the title “Barnyard Olympics”.
This year’s five competitive events, put together by the staff at the Adams County Regional Medical Center (who also provided the prize money), were properly titled, “Watering the Animals”, Needle in a Haystack”, Dinner’s Ready: Farm to Table”, Cattle Herding”” and Farmer’s Race. The winning team in each event received 100 points, second place 75, third place 50 and fourth place 25.
In “Watering the Animals”, North Adams placed first, Manchester second, West Union third and Peebles fourth. In Needle in a Haystack”, West Union was the winner, followed by Peebles, Manchester and North Adams.
“Dinner’s Ready” saw North Adams again on top with Manchester second, West Union third and Peebles fourth. The “Cattle Herding” event was won by North Adams, followed up by North Adams, West Union, Manchester and Peebles, The final event, “Farmer’s Race” went to Manchester with West Union placing second.
The final score tallies saw North Adams crowned as the Barnyard Olympics champion and awarded the $1,000 first prize, with Manchester and West Union tying for second and taking home $625 each. Peebles placed fourth and was awarded $250.
The team members for Saturday night’s event were as follows:
North Adams- Cody Hesler, Beau Hesler, Dalton Pence, Colin Tolle, Gage White, Kenlie Jones, Harlee Brand, Madi Hesler, Kensley Cornette, HUnter Grooms
Manchester- Connor Darnell, Drew Kennedy, Kayden Butcher, Jenna Campbell, Mason Gilliam, Grant McClanahan, Lexy Nixon, Mary Grace Wickerham, Shawna Bryant, Casen White
West Union- Ashlah Staten, Gavin Rowe, Violet Randolph, Korynne Blanton, Elayna Kingsolver, Trae Grooms, Chance Mahan, Madison Stout, Annabelle McIntosh, Jocelyn Hill, Todd Montgomery, Allen Anderson
Peebles- Marhea Unger, Reece Davis, Christian Gerth, Elizabeth Gerth, Grant Robertson, Wyatt Smart, Riley Davis
