Joe Hornaday
The frogs sprang from their launching positions near the duct tape starting line before they propelled their young handlers to victory at the Sesquicentennial Frog Jumping Contest on Thursday.
The Decatur County Courthouse was filled with participating local kids, many of whom had brought their own frogs to the competition. Their families and friends cheered them on and ran for cover when one of the ultra-competitive amphibians would escape the confines of the small arena.
Two jumps were all the competitors were allowed before referees would step in and drop a coin on the spot where the frogs landed last. When the frogs would hesitate for their young owners, umpire Don Yager would step in to help and slap the narrow path to get the frog hopping.
The Sesquicentennial Frog Jumping Contest offered three prizes to its top three finishers. Walking away from the competition with a grand prize of $30 was Lydia Acra. In second place was Oakley Best, who garnered $20 for his frog’s admirable leaping ability. In third place was Elizabeth Mitchell, and she won $10, courtesy of her fast frog “Sharp-Haaay,” a name she came up with from High School Musical.
With no ponds on the courthouse lawn, the kids snatched up their frogs to return them to local ponds and waterways until they may be called upon again to leap to victory.
