Dozens race today for place in national Soap Box Derby in July

CORTLAND

Samantha Lochrane’s very first run at the Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby Saturday did not turn out the way she wanted and the 10-year old from Boardman was heartbroken.

“I had trouble with my break,” she said after a race volunteer helped stop the homemade stock racer before it struck the cones at the end of the West Main Street track where the derby has run the last three years.

Volunteers had to console her, but the good news for Samantha was that it was only a trial run, which all first-time racers get before the actual competitions begin. She was awarded a second trial run, which went smoothly.

“I’m ready,” she said, smiling, as she gave a thumbs-up.

Brooke Kaschak of McDonald, the local derby director, said 37 riders, ages 7 to17, raced in the three divisions — stock, super-stock and masters, today, with the winner of each division earning the right to compete in the national All American Soap Box Derby in Akron July 27.

Read more about the event in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.