Area Soap Box champ places third in Akron derby race

AKRON — Jamie Berndt of Canfield is finishing out her All-American Soap Box Derby career in style.

She came in third in the Masters Rally Division in today’s All-American Derby international competition in Akron, and will drive her final race next weekend at the Soap Box Nationals in Muncie, Ind., a competition she won in 2005 in Saginaw, Mich.

Berndt, the daughter of David and Faye Berndt, will turn 18 on Thursday and ‘age out’ of the sport she has been involved in and successful at for eight years.

She said she is sad to see it end, but now plans to concentrate on golf. She is a member of the Canfield High School golf team and also plays flute in the high school band.