Girl racers rule in 72nd running of All-American Soap Box Derby

STAFF/WIRE REPORT

AKRON — A 10-year-old girl who is the 15th member of her family to participate in the national Soap Box finals has won the Stock Division of the 72nd All-American Soap Box Derby.

Sarah Whitaker, of Norton in suburban Akron, was one of four girls to claim championships Saturday in the six divisions.

A Hubbard girl, Melody Castner, 8, came in fifth in the Stock Division.

Other girls winners were Megan Thornton of Cleveland in the Masters Division; Maija Liimatainen of Madison, Wis., in Super Stock; and Megan Hydutsky of Pottstown, Pa., in the Rally Masters.

Two 12-year-old boys also won championships. Tyler Fleck of Perkasie, Pa., won the Rally Stock competition and Alex Seither, of Mason, Ohio, claimed the Rally Super Stock title.

A total of 599 finalists from 34 states and five countries competed in the finals.

First-place winners in the Stock, Super Stock and Masters divisions from Youngstown’s competition June 20 advanced to Akron.

Besides Melody Castner in Stock, they are Haleigh Kuebler, 15, Berlin Center, Super Stock; and Julia Castner, 13, Hubbard, Masters.

Competing in the Rally Super Stock Division was Joseph Puntel, 15, of Austintown.