Pint-sized contestants pedal like crazy in competition

It was the perfect mantra for the Crown Point boy who handily won the Pedal Pull competition in the 5- and 6-year-old category Tuesday at the Lake County Fair.

The crew-cut, blue-eyed, blond hair first-grader smiled broadly after accepting his first place trophy, a blue ribbon, $15 gift certificate and an opportunity to go on to the Indiana State Fair to compete if he chooses.

“This is Parker’s second win at the county fair and he’s also won in competition at the Southlake County antique tractor pull event,” Parker’s dad, Gary Monix said.

Parker, who determinedly pedaled a red replica Farmall tractor with 225 pounds for 36 feet, 3 inches, told his dad he believes he had some heavenly help with his win.

George Monix, Parker’s grandfather, died this past January and Parker remembered him with the message, “pedaling for Papa George” on the back of his T-shirt.

“Parker told me after he won that he thinks papa was helping him from up in heaven,” Monix said.

The Pedal Pull competition at the Lake County Fair has been a popular event for 36 years, according to Jay Molenhouse, superintendent of the competition.

His wife, Donna Molenhouse, kept track of the contestants and their statistics while Jay Molenhouse offered words of encouragement to each of the youngsters in the competition ages 3-12.

“Move those legs; keep those legs going,” Jay Molenhouse yelled as the pint-sized contestants frowned, grunted and did their best to push the pedals on the tractors they were riding.

This year, there were some 60 kids signed up for the event with categories that paired 3- and 4-year-olds; 5- and 6-year-olds; 7- and 8-year-olds; 9-and 10-year-olds and 11- and 12-year-olds.

In the 3- and 4-year-old competition, Jude Laub, 4, easily outdistanced his competition by pedaling 40 feet, the maximum distance.

His mom, Heidi Laub of Lowell, and other family members came to cheer him on and offer him encouragement.

Laub said her son didn’t train for the event but is just a very active kid and always on the move.

“He’s a farm kid,” Laub added.

Molenhouse said the youngsters who receive first place have the option of competing in the state fair because the event is state-sanctioned.

There’s even a national pedal pull competition with this year’s held at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Jacob Lutgen, 12, who will be a sixth-grader at Lowell Middle School this year, said he’s won the county fair competition for seven years in a row and has competed at the state fair.

Keeping his legs in good condition is part of the reason for his success.

“I always ride my bike,” Jacob said.