Cardboard Sled Race Draws Creative Competition at Les Cheneaux Schools Hill

Ross Sherlund (left) and Jason Haske, organizers of the 2008 Cardboard Box Sled Races in Cedarville, unveil new trophies they made for the event and awarded to top winners in the races. Like most of the competitors and spectators, they maintained good spirits in spite of soaking rains during the event Sunday, February 17.

For the past 10 years, high winds and sub-zero temperatures cooled the sledding hill at Les Cheneaux Community Schools during the Snowsfest Cardboard Box Sled Races.

Sledders at this year's event, however, were challenged by a different problem: rain and sleet that left some of the cardboard creations sopping wet. Regardless of the conditions, the event was a hit with families and children, who took home trophies, sleds, and other prizes.

New organizers of the event, Ross Sherlund and Jason Haske, gave out sturdy, log style trophies they had made themselves. Racers were sent down the hill in heats to determine the top racers. Those with the fastest sleds were pitted against each other to determine first through fourth places.

Above: Racers in the adult division of the Cardboard Sled Races (from left) Curt Bohn, Clark O'Brien, and Kharizma Labinski, prepare to head down the hill. Liz Merchberger joined the competition at the last minute and won the race.

In the age group for racers six years of age and younger, Sienna Reichlin took first place with her kitty-cat sled, complete with a real fur tail. Josh Salvador took second place with his shark sled. Curtis Payment won third place with his tropical sled decorated with palm trees and coconuts, giving a nod to the Snowsfest Carribean theme. Lily Freel took fourth place in a tiny sled that was nearly as small as she was.

In the racing division for children ages seven to 12, veteran sled racer Kayla Merchberger won first place with her cardboard rendition of the ship, the Flying Dutchman. She even made a cardboard pirate hat and sword to complete the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme. Jayden Smith took second place with his spacethemed box, which was later borrowed by his grandfather, Clark O'Brien, who only managed a third place finish in the age 13- adult division.

At right: Sixth grade classmates at Les Cheneaux Community Schools (from left) Eric Schebel and Kayla Merchberger competed in the Cardboard Box Sled Races.

Mindy Nordquist took third place in the seven to 12 age group with her sled, made from the actual hood of a snowmobile, while Eric Schebel took fourth place on a surf board of his own creation. He wore swimming trunks over his snow pants, in keeping with the surfing theme.

In the age 13-adult division, Liz Merchberger won first place in her daughter, Kayla's, pirate ship sled, while Kharizma Labinski took second, Mr. O'Brien won third, and Curt Bohn came in last with his homemade sled and cardboard armor.

Below, at right: Curtis Payment, 6, ran his tropical island sled until the palm trees toppled off at the races.