Beech Tree News Network

One of the Green River Catfish Festival's top events lived up to its billing on Saturday, July 4, at the annual terrapin race.  The event featured 150 terrapins competing in 15 "heat" races with an overall championship round consisting of each "heat" race winner.  When the dust settled, it was Shelby Gwathney's terrapin #100 that took the top prize of $25; Riley Dockery finished second with terrapin #19 and won $15; Briar Griffin's terrapin #36 took third place and won $10.
The terrapin race is sponsored by Cassia Lodge #272 F&AM, Beech Tree News, Jones Funeral Chapel, Turnertown Farms, and Henderson Land Surveying.
Judges for the event were Mayor Billy Phelps, Brian Phelps, Chris Phelps, Diddle Johnson, Chris Burden, Ben Annis, Brian McKinney, and Elwood Dyer.  John Embry emceed the event and Kathy Thomas managed the registration of all 150 terrapins.  Tim Thomas, Austin Burden, and Jamie Merritt organized the terrapin release.

Below is a list of winners for each "heat" race.  First place paid $15; second place $10; and third place $5.

Heat Race #1:
1st Place - Terrapin #1 - Weston Merritt
2nd Place - Terrapin #16 - Jameson Findley
3rd Place - Terrapin #31 - Ty Griffin

Heat Race #2:
1st Place - Terrapin #62 - Deacon Phelps
2nd Place - Terrapin #92 - Trapper Farris
3rd Place - Terrapin #137 - Amelie Phelps

Heat Race #3:
1st Place - Terrapin #108 - Averi Morris
2nd Place - Terrapin #93 - Tanner Farris
3rd Place - Terrapin #138 - Lacy White

Heat Race #4:
1st Place - Terrapin #19 - Riley Dockery
2nd Place - Terrapin #49 - Blake Tomes
3rd Place - Terrapin #125 - Makaylah Williams

Heat Race #5:
1st Place - Terrapin #125 - Makaylah Williams
2nd Place - Terrapin #5 - Vincent Baker
3rd Place - Terrapin #140 - Weston Camplin

Heat Race #6:
1st Place - Terrapin #36 - Briar Griffin
2nd Place - Terrapin #81 - Olivia Renfrow
3rd Place - Terrapin #66 - Crash Morris

Heat Race #7:
1st Place - Terrapin #67 - Crash Morris
2nd Place - Terrapin #37 - Briar Griffin
3rd Place - Terrapin #82 - Olivia Renfrow

Heat Race #8:
1st Place - Terrapin #128 - Mattialyn, Addison, Jordon
2nd Place - Terrapin #38 - Triton Morris
3rd Place - Terrapin #83 - Henry McKinney

Heat Race #9:
1st Place - Terrapin #114 - John Kirby
2nd Place - Terrapin #84 - Charlie McKinney
3rd Place - Terrapin #9 - Lawson McMillan

Heat Race #10:
1st Place - Terrapin #100 - Shelby Gwathney
2nd Place - Terrapin #70 - Karlee Cameron
3rd Place - Terrapin #85 - Charlie McKinney

Heat Race #11:
1st Place - Terrapin #86 - Henry McKinney
2nd Place - Terrapin #101 - Shelby Gwathney
3rd Place - Terrapin #41 - Riley Dockery

Heat Race #12:
1st Place - Terrapin #57 - Brody West
2nd Place - Terrapin #147 - Trenton Butler
3rd Place - Terrapin #12 - Wrangler Fugate

Heat Race #13:
1st Place - Terrapin #43 - Natalie Shirley
2nd Place - Terrapin #13 - Caleb Gabbard
3rd Place - Terrapin #148 - Caleb Caskey

Heat Race #14:
1st Place - Terrapin #74 - Brayden Tomes
2nd Place - Terrapin #59 - Mason West
3rd Place - Terrapin #134 - Colton Hampton

Heat Race #15:
1st Place - Terrapin #60 - Layton Phelps
2nd Place - Terrapin #105 - Chloe Jenkins
3rd Place - Terrapin #120 - Piper Lee

Overall Grand Champion:
1st Place - Terrapin #100 - Shelby Gwathney
2nd Pace - Terrapin #19 - Riley Dockery
3rd Place - Terrapin#36 - Briar Griffin