WHEELING - After winning the overall stock division (ages 8-13) in the Region Six Soap Box Derby held in St. Clairsville earlier this month, 10-year-old Jacob Prager will now have the opportunity to compete in Akron in July - and he has the largest trophy in his family's home to prove it.
Jacob is the son of Jeff and Nancy Prager of Bethlehem. Jeff said his son started racing in the local soap box derby about three years ago after they thought it would be a fun thing to work on together.
Jeff said the two of them built the soap box car which was sponsored by Carpenter's Local No. 186 out of Steubenville, where he is employed.
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Photo by Scott McCloskey
Ten-year-old Jacob Prager of Bethlehem poses in the soap box derby car he will be racing in during the annual All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron on July 24.
He said it is a great "all-American" type of event that his entire family can participate in and enjoy.
"It takes the whole family to get it done - because someone has to be at the bottom of the hill and someone has to be at the top of the hill to make sure everything is OK," Jeff said.
He said his son had to race nearly a dozen times at the St. Clairsville event to claim the top prize which now allows him to compete in the "super stock" division in the future. He said this is the first time Jacob has won the overall trophy for his division.
Jeff said his son will now compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron on July 24 - something his entire family is looking forward to attending. He said besides the local carpenter's union - his son is being sponsored by Main Street Bank and The Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley to help cover costs.
Jacob said he really enjoys competing in soap box races and "meeting other kids" during the events. He said his winning trophy is now the biggest trophy in his room and the entire house.
