Downhill Derby Racers Trade Stress For Tricycles
Annual Run Down Missouri Rd Provides Fun Detox As Finals Approach
By Victoria Yeomans
During the last few weeks of the spring semester students typically deal with a lot of stress, but Montreat College has found some ways to lighten the mood on campus.
One of the most famous ways they have done this is the Downhill Derby. This event has changed greatly over the years into a fun spectacle with racing and laughter. On April 24, 2024, you may have noticed the unusual. It started with a trailer pulling up to Belk Library. What came out of the trailer? Baby animals! There were llamas, a pony, and a calf! Students were able to experience the “Montreat petting zoo” right on the library lawn. Student Life also got plenty of snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy. Including Capri Suns, Coke-a-Cola, varieties of chips, and popsicles. Needless to say the snacks could transport you back to your childhood, which students definitely enjoyed since there seemed to be no snacks left. The main event of this annual Student Life activity began shortly after 4:00pm. The race is on Missouri Rd. It starts at the top of the Anderson Parking Lot and finishes at the front of the library. There are three rounds of the derby, each eliminating one student. The students elected for this year's Downhill Derby were: Seth Williamson (senior representative), Liam Harrison (junior representative), Nathan Axce (sophomore representative), Aiden Bailey (freshman representative). Round 1: competitors come racing down the hill. Liam in the lead with Nathan and Aiden shortly behind, Seth followed behind the two of them. Moving into the next round was Liam, Nathan and Aiden. Round 2: top three. Zooming down the hill Liam and Nathan come in first and second with Aiden staggering behind. Round 3: final round. Again you can hear the wheels of the tricycles roaring against the pavement as Liam and Nathan are going back and forth to see who will be the 2024 Downhill Derby Champion. Liam is in the lead as they near the finish line, and Nathan is pushing himself as hard as he can to catch up. Ultimately Liam and his makeshift flag cape take the win, but Nathan gives a close second and finishes with a brake spin. As the crowds disperse from the finish line, the derby racers pose for pictures. After the race students were welcomed to hang out on the library lawn and enjoy the animals, lawn games, and the free snacks!