Evan Shahan maneuvers a lawn tractor through an obstacle course after identifying the parts. The competition was part of the FFA Regional Tractor Driving Contest held at Tucker County High School last week.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
HAMBLETON – A local FFA Student took first place in the FFA Regional Tractor Driving Contest held at Tucker County High School last week. Vincent Moats, a junior, drove his way to first place in the large tractor division. Justin Frye and Travis Wilkins, both from East Hardy captured the second and third place in the competition.
In the lawn and garden tractor event, Cordel Dolby of Moorefield came in first, followed by Jacob Beavers, TCHS Junior. In third place was Colton Nesselrodt of East Hardy.
Other Tucker County High School FFA Students participating in the match include Tyler Harsh, Micah Thompson, Tanner Burns and Evan Shahan. There were 29 contestants all together in the high school division and three competitors in the middle school division.
The top three winners in each division will advance and have the opportunity to compete in the State FFA Tractor Driving Contest held at Cedar Lakes next July.
Schools participating in the FFA Regional Tractor Driving Contest include Pendleton County, Moorefield Middle School, Moorefield High School, East Hardy Middle School, East Hardy High School, Union and Tucker County High School.
TCHS FFA Advisor Terry Hauser said the contests have three parts.
“There is a written exam, a parts identification and a driving component,” he said. “The large tractor driving competition actually has two driving components – they do the obstacle course with a two wheel trailer, a manure spreader behind them and they also have to back a four wheel hay wagon, which is very difficult.”
Hauser said he wanted to offer a special thanks for the people who donated time and equipment to make the Regional Tournament a success. Those include Lowell Moore, Jeremy Hile, Jim Nestor, Robert ‘Spank’ Evans and Oakland Tractor Supply. Other judges included Rodney Hardman from East Hardy, Catlain Carrico from Union, Rebecca Haller from East Hardy Middle, Rod Hudson from Pendleton County and Cody Dent from Moorefield High School.