4th grader takes first in statewide pedal tractor pull

By MADELINE REIDA

Staff writer

Charlotte Jo Silhan, 9, won first place in her age group at the Kansas State Fair pedal pull championships Sept. 12. Her total distance was 21 feet and four inches.

Silhan’s classmate classmate, Kyle Epp, won first place for the 9-year-old boys.

“She’s done this every year since they let her start at age 4,” Charlotte’s mother Staci Silhan said. “They both won at the Marion County Fair. Kyle actually beat her this summer.”

However, Charlotte overtook Kyle at the state fair.

The Silhan family have enjoyed watching the pedal pull competition, but this year mother and daughter went alone to the fair — masked, Staci vaccinated, and avoiding crowds — to minimize spreading COVID.

“Charlotte was one of the few kids who kept her mask on during the competition,” Silhan said. “We got registered just in time and left as soon as we could.”

Pandemic restrictions had no effect on Charlotte’s determination to win.

“She kind of ‘trains’ year round,” Silhan said. “She wants to be ready for the pedal pull, so she exercises and rides her bike around.”