RUSSIA — Sunny skies and milder temperatures over the Labor Day weekend brought large crowds to the Russia Homecoming to enjoy a number of new attractions as well as old favorites. Held on the grounds of St. Remy Church, the annual festival included food, music, rides, and many contests. The following are the contest results, as reported by Festival Chairman Rob Cordonnier.
The annual Texas Hold ‘Em tournament which kicked off the festival on Friday night found Joel Meyer winning first prize, and Barb Young coming in second. The winners of Sunday’s annual Running Raider 5K were Aaron Bauer of Houston for the men’s race, with a time of 16.21, and Katie Borchers of Russia for the women’s race, with a time of 19.17.
Placing first in the Co-Ed Volleyball tournament was “Team Hit” made up of Mike and Kim Gause, Kurt and Andrea Knapke, and Alan and Kate Evers.
The Cornhole tournament drew a number of participants, competing in various age groups. The Elementary level Cornhole winners were Kate Sherman and Reese Goubeaux, first place; and Ross Fiessinger and Zane Shappie, second place. High school level winners were Jack Dapore and Hunter Cohee, first place; Drew Sherman and Austin Cordonnier, second place; and Joel Seger and Nathan Poeppelman, third place. Adult Cornhole winners were Eric Shaw and Mike Sullenberger, first place; and Austin Gariety and Treg Francis, second place.
There were three age groups for the Dodge Ball competition. Winning the age 13 and under contest was the team named “The 6” and consisting of Ross Fiessinger, Zane Shappie, Xavier Phlipot, Jordan Meyer, Aiden Shappie, and Ethan Luthman. First place in the age 14-17 group was the “Rat Pack” team of Dylan Cordonnier, Drew Sherman, Kevin Drees, Ethan Monnier, Drew Poling, and Trenton Monnin. The age 18-30 winning team was “Back-to-Back Champs”: Brandon Barlage, Treg Francis, Austin Gariety, Trevor Sherman, Bryce Rittenhouse, and Bryce Dues.
In the Lip Sync Contest, Makena and Saige Hoying placed first; Peyton, Parker and Charlotte Deutsch, second; and Isabella Magoto and Emma Dapore, third. The Diaper Derby was won by Colt Bennett Stueve.
Tractor Pull Contest results were as follows: Ages 3-4, Katelyn Middleton of Sidney, first; Isaiah Grieshop of Russia, second; and Tyler Schmiesing of Sidney, third; Ages 5-6, Ava Bohman of Russia, first; Chance Chapman of Russia, second; and Gianna Borchers of Russia, third; Ages 7-8, Samuel Phlipot of Russia, first; Claudia Hoehne of Russia, second; and Caden Cantwil of Ft. Loramie, third; Ages 9-10, Hayden Poeppelman of Maria Stein, first; Christian Evans of Piqua, second; and Benjamin York of Russia, third.
