Lennox 11-year-old Raya Johnson pedaled her way to a second consecutive state pedal pull win on Labor Day.
While she won the state 11-year-old division, since she turns 12 two days before the national contest, she will have to compete in the 12-year-old division.
“This is the first time that the national tournament is after her birthday, so when that happens you have to pull at the age that you’re at even though you qualified at a younger age,” said mom Stephanie Johnson.
At the state pedal pull in Mitchell on Labor Day, Raya competed against 11 other girls in her age group. Five of them had a full pull in the first round. Since they were tied in the first round, those five had to pull a second time with more weight.
“When they went around the second time, there was 425 pounds on the sled,” Stephanie said.
“I didn’t get a full pull on the second pull, but I was 5 inches away from a full pull and I won by 7 inches,” Raya said.
Last year, Raya finished sixth at nationals in the 10-year-old division. She placed fourth in the 9-year-old division at nationals two years ago.
She pulled her hamstring in PE playing quad ball last week so she will need to work through that injury before competing Sept. 28 in Mitchell at the Corn Palace.
In additional to pedal pulls, Raya also plays fall softball, volleyball and basketball.
To prepare for pedal pulls, she rides her bike all over town.
“The Saturday before Labor Day I went for a 20-mile bike ride along the Big Sioux River. I do a lot of sports too so that helps my muscles. I did a lot of basketball in the summer,” Raya said.
She enjoys pedal pull because she likes building strength in her legs.
“There’s so much weight and a great way to get out all your energy and something fun to do besides just do random things,” Raya said. “It’s a fun experience and it’s cool.”
With 12 years old being the oldest a person can compete in pedal pull, Raya is able to pull in the state and if she would qualify, she could still pull at the state contest next year. Then if she would qualify from the state contest for nationals, she could pull at nationals as long as they were before her 13th birthday.
For now, Raya is excited to pull again at nationals.
“I’m really excited for the national pull this year because I’m so much more determined than I have been any other year,” Raya said. “This is something I want to hit hard.”
Comments