Miller, Meyer win steinholding contests
Lang wins welded trucks derby heat
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NEW ULM -- A New Ulm man and woman competing in their first-ever steinholding events, punched their tickets to the Minnesota State Steinholding Contest at the Brown County Fair Saturday.
Ryan Meyer finished first among six men, holding a stein of water for three minutes, 45 seconds. Pat Jakeway of North Carolina finished second at 3:38. Don Weber was third at 3:12, Scott Klinkner fourth at 2:58 and Aaron Dittbenner fifth at 2:27.
Meyer talked about why he signed up for the contest after the win.
"I saw there weren't many people signing up, so I tried it," he said. "I don't work out much, but I do some walking. I could have held the stein another minute or two if I had to. I feel good. It didn't bother me.
Meyer will compete for the Minnesota State Steinholding Finals Saturday, Oct. 3 on Minnesota Street in New Ulm.
Pam Miller of New Ulm held a stein of water for two minutes, 21 seconds, finishing ahead of five women. Jamie Seifert finished second at 2:19, Samantha Seidl was third at 2:12 followed by Jean Kiecker 1:56 and Marisa Seifert 1:46.
"I felt like I could have gone longer," she said. "I work out every morning, doing about 60 pushups a day and a few other things."
Miller said she plans to compete in the steinholding state championships Oct. 3 at New Ulm's Oktoberfest.
A a full-house grandstand crowd watched the demolition derby Saturday that ended with New Ulm welder Matt Lang winning the truck heat. Chase Kerkhoff of Morgan finished second, followed by Kyle Christiansen, Tucker Haala and Jon Brand. Lang won the Mad Dog truck heat award for hard hitting.
Lang talked about why he enjoys competing in demolition derbies as far away as the Gold Rush Demolition Derby in Rapid City, S.D. and Wadena during the summer.
"It's the adrenaline rush," he said. "It's second to none. You don't get a rush like this anywhere else. I enjoy going out and having fun with my buddies. We stay busy all summer. Truck derbies are brutal every time. They're heavy-hitting. These trucks don't bend much anymore. They're so stout."
Lang won the truck division with a 2009 Ford F250 with a six-liter Corvette motor.
Eli Johnson of Bricelyn won the 80s Iron Limited Weld heat and Mad Dog award. Matt Konakowitz of New Ulm was second, followed by Tyler Scharfencamp, Jason Wiese and Jason Schultz.
Wiese won the 80s stock heat and Mad Dog award. Following were Carson De Zeeuw, Carter Dallenbach, Jason Dallenbach and Justin De Zeeuw.
Bradley Loock won the Gut n Go truck heat. Kerkhoff finished second but got the Mad Dog award. He was followed by Owen Veerkamp, Kevin Andrews, and Matt Fischer.
Travis Schneider won the compact heat. Denton Strassburg was second but got the Mad Dog award. He was followed by Dylan Schroeder, Andy Noble and Kalicia Strassburg.