The First Frontier Circuit's Battle of the Barrels at the finals

By Mary Rudloff
Posted Thursday, January 18, 2007

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The First Frontier Circuit Finals provided a close race around the barrels as 12 barrel racers took their best shots at landing a spot in Pocatello. At the end of the weekend, it was Jennifer Romriell, of Broadalbin, NY, and Joyce Stoltzfus, of Peach Bottom, Pa., who had earned the right to travel to the national circuit finals.

Barely a half-second separated the top four riders in the average when the dust finally settled in the Farm Show Arena on Saturday, Jan. 13.

Rounds one and two belonged to Eileen Hanna, of Oxford Pa., who took both rounds with times of 15.02 and 14.86 seconds. A barrel went down in round three, taking with it Hanna’s hopes of sweeping all three rounds.

Round three belonged to Lynne Winkers of Woodstown, NJ, who finished the cloverleaf in 14.94 seconds. A lost battle with a barrel in round two took away Winkers’ hopes of a repeat championship, as she finished in eighth place in the circuit finals standings.

The finals average went to Joyce Stoltzfus with a three round total time of 45.41 seconds. Stoltzfus had three clean runs, including a blazing 14.97 seconds in round two.

The second fastest finals average was posted by Lisa Barone, York Springs, Pa. with a three round total of 45.48 seconds. Carol Kerstetter, Milton, Pa., finished third in the finals average at 45.59 seconds and Shannon-Lin (Murphy) Kampmeier, of Woodbury, NJ, was fourth with a three round time of 45.89 seconds.

The year end winner was Jennifer Romriell, who had a three round average of 46.18 seconds.

Also qualifying for and competing in the First Frontier Circuit Finals were: Jennifer Barrett of Fort Ann, NY; Lorraine Bytheway of Glen Mills, Pa.; Sheri Nastri of Balston Spa, NY; Nickie Stoltzfus of McClure, Pa; and Robin Weaver of Mahaffey, Pa.;