Beech Tree News Network

Despite a last-minute change in venue due to soggy weather conditions, the 2013 Green River Catfish Festival Terrapin Race featured a record number of entries at 140.  The move from the Roger Gaskey Ball Field to the Eva J. Hawes building didn't hamper the enthusiasm of hardcore terrapin race enthusiasts and supportive family members.  

This year's race included 10 heat races with the top three finishers recognized.  Heat races paid out $10, $7, and $5, respectively.  The championship round featured the first place finisher of each individual heat with the overall winner earning $15; second place $10; and third place $5.    

Talon Coursey with terrapin #35 took the overall grand prize in the championship heat.  Second place went to Weston Camplin with terrapin #120, while third place belonged to Colton Hampton and terrapin #68.

Below are the winners from each individual heat (all photos are 3rd to 1st, L to R)

Heat #1 (photo above):

 1st place--#31--Henry McKinney

2nd place--#11--Weston Camplin

3rd place--#121--Ty Griffin

Heat #2 (photo above):

 1st place--#72--Zach Gwathney

2nd place--#52--Mason Johnson

3rd place--#132--Brianna Whittinghill

Heat #3 (photo above):

 1st place--#13--Mattie Jones

2nd place--#93--Trapper Farris

3rd place--#43--Kypton McKinney

Heat #4 (photo above):

 1st place--#124--Tommy Hunt

2nd place--#94--Trapper Farris

3rd place--#24--Kolbe Annis

Heat #5 (photo above):

 1st place--#35--Talon Coursey

2nd place--#105--Earon Hudnall

3rd place--#5--Weston Merritt

Heat #6 (photo above):

 1st place--#96--Tanner Farris

2nd place--#36--Kamden Coursey

3rd place--#16--Brayden Jones

Heat #7 (photo above):

 1st place--#107--Mac Hampton

2nd place--#47--Mercedes White

3rd place--#57--Hayden Whitaker

Heat #8 (photo above):

 1st place--#68--Colton Hampton

2nd place--#138--Bryden Cardwell

3rd place--#118--Grant Jones

Heat #9 (photo above):

 1st place--#9--Isabella Faye Embry

2nd place--#29--Trevor Joiner

3rd place--#39--Elijah Barrow

Heat #10 (photo above):

 1st place--#120--Weston Camplin

2nd place--#10--Isabella Faye Embry

3rd place--#50--Shane White

Heat #11 (photo above):

 1st place--#55--Olivia Renfrow

2nd place--#3--Landis Merritt

3rd place--#87--Morgan McKinney

Heat #12 (photo above):

 1st place--#48--Mercedes White

2nd place--#66--Trenton Butler

3rd place--#95--Tanner Farris

The annual event, one of the longest running of the entire Catfish Festival, is organized by Cassia Lodge #272 F&AM in Morgantown.  Sponsors of the event include Jones Funeral Chapel, Hardee's of Morgantown, Turnertown Farms/C.W. Taylor, and Henderson Land Surveying.  There is no entry fee and each child, up to age 14, may enter up to two terrapins in the race.