by Michael Swatzel

Marietta, OH — The annual Southern Ohio Colt Circuit awards banquet was held on Jan. 31 at the Elks Club in Marietta.

Champion 2- and 3-year-old racehorses competing last summer at 10 Southeast Ohio county fairs were honored at the banquet. The racing circuit consisted of fairs located at Athens, Caldwell, Marietta, McConnelsville, Old Washington, Piketon, Pomeroy, Wellston, Woodsfield and Zanesville.

About 70 horsemen and interested fans enjoyed a meal followed by the presentation of trophies to the owners of the best horses and to the top driver/trainer.

The 2-year-old colt trotter award was presented to Fred Polk for his horse Sondrio, who had six wins. This colt was trained by Eric Nesselroad, who trains his horses on a farm track in Waterford.

Nesselroad also garnered an award as the co-owner and trainer of the top 2-year-old colt pacer Western Wayne. Eddie Stewart, the other co-owner, and regular driver Jonas Hershberger were also on hand.

In the 3-year-old colt trot division, Nesselroad also trained the five-time winner A Brilliant Idea for owner Gene Turner.

Other winners were:

2-year-old filly trotter–I’m Chiptastic: owners Mel Rose Stable and David Pierce; trainer John Ryan Melsheimer.

2-year-old filly pacer–Bevnlindas Blossom: owner Willard Taylor III and trainer Steve Carter.

3-year-old filly pacer–Friskie’s Angel: owners DM Stables, William Rufenacht and Joyce McClelland; trainer John Ryan Melsheimer.

3-year-old filly trotter–Trulee Grateful: owner and trainer Doris Crandell.

3-year-old colt pacer–Player’s King: owner Richard Owings; trainer Earl Owings.

Jonas Hershberger was presented with the top two driver awards. He reached the winner’s circle 20 times to earn the Fred McVicar Driver Award.

The Sid Spencer Driver Award, which is given to the driver who has the most points earned by finishing first through fifth place in a race, was Hershberger’s second honor as he easily outdistanced his closest competitors.

The Terry Van Rhoden Training Award, which is determined by UTR (minimum of 20 starts) went to John Ryan Melsheimer with an outstanding mark of .844.