Three YMCA North Shore log rollers traveled to Onalaska, Wisconsin to compete in the Three Rivers Roleo log rolling competition and all did well. From L-R: Paige Everson, Taylor Everson and Ali Duclos, proudly holding the first-place plaque she won in the girls’ U-10 division.
Three Cook County YMCA North Shore Rollers ventured to Onalaska, Wisconsin last weekend to compete in the 10th annual Three Rivers Roleo log rolling tournament. The event is held in the (usually) tranquil waters at the beautiful Great River Landing on the Mighty Mississippi River.
Started by log rolling brother and sister Jacob and Katie Rick of Onalaska, this year 30 professional rollers and 71 amateurs took part in the competition. Katie does a great job of setting up and running the show today, and still competes professionally when she has the time.
Rolling in the U10 age group bracket, Lutsen’s Ali Duclos had a tremendous meet and took first place over the seldom beaten Libby Magnone of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
In a best three out of five falls, Ali was down 1-0 before coming back and taking a fall to make it 1-1.
The match went back and forth as these two highly skilled rollers timed out on logs, going to smaller diameter logs throughout the competition. The kids start out on a 1-log and after one minute go to a 2-log, which is smaller and rolls faster in the water. After two minutes on a 2-log, if the match hasn’t been decided, competitors go to a 3-log for three minutes and finally end up on a toothpick sized 4-log where there is no time limit and the match is decided by falls.
Each log roller uses his or her strategy. Some rollers like to get into a bucking match; this is where the athletes face away from each other on the log. In a running match, each competitor is facing the same way, starting and stopping the log in quick fashion, trying to run his or her competitor off of the log. Rollers also kick water in the face of their opponents and rock the logs back and forth like a teeter-totter. Neither competitor is allowed to physically touch each other and at the center of each log is a red line that can’t be stepped over or it causes a fall.
At two falls each, Ali and Libby were on the 4-log when the quick-footed Ali outmaneuvered Libby and sent the Oconomowoc roller splashing into the water to take the exciting championship match 3-2.
Also rolling in the U-10 girls’ division was Taylor Everson of Grand Marais. Taylor was in position to roll for third place and was competing against Caroline Horton of Oconomowoc.
Horton was up two falls to none, and it looked like the match was over. That’s when Taylor’s dad and coach, Tony Everson stepped in with some words of advice and new strategy. The talk worked and soon the match was 2-2 and came down to the third and final fall, which was going to be decided on the 4-log. It takes great skill to roll on the 4-log and these two battled it out with Horton taking the final fall in another exciting match. Everson took fourth in a tight field of great young rollers.
Paige Everson, Taylor’s sister, competed in the biggest division of the day. The U17 bracket featured nine girls and everyone at this level is a skilled log roller.
Paige won her first match but lost her second match. Paige lost in a match to compete for third place and ended up fifth in the competition.
Next up is the Namekagon roll off which help the rollers get ready for the big tournament July 21-23 the Lumberjack World championships.
Following the world championships is the Minnesota State log rolling championship held in Grand Marais on August 5.
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