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  • Seth Holtsclaw (left) and Charlie Holtsclaw (right) pose with their pedal tractors before getting ready for the National Pedal Pullers Championship on Sept. 22. in Mitchell, S.D. Kelly Overton

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September 8, 2012

Holtsclaws take on nation at pedal pulling finals

By Andrea McCann Washington Times-Herald

WASHINGTON — Indiana’s 9-year-old Pedal Tractor Pull Champion Seth Holtsclaw has left some big tire tracks to fill, but little brother Charlie seems to be up to the task. Both Seth and Charlie, 4, will compete at the National Pedal Pullers Association Championships Sept. 22 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

Both boys, the sons of Byron and Lora Holtsclaw, qualified at an invitation-only pull in Lawrence, Mich., Sunday. However, Seth had previously qualified at the “Champion of Champions” pull during the Indiana State Fair.

“Seth had already qualified for nationals, but it gave Seth more experience and Charlie another chance to qualify,” Byron said. “Charlie earned a first place at this regional qualifier, earning him a ticket identical to his brother’s. Seth also double-qualified at this pull. It was redundant, but a good experience.”

Seth is a veteran of the national pull in Mitchell, having qualified for it last year and placed seventh in the event. But that wasn’t good enough for the competitive athlete, who plays basketball, football and baseball, training for those sports as well as his pedal pulling events. He wants to be No. 1.

“I work out with my dad,” Seth said, explaining they do pushups, situps, jumps, running, and he runs the stairs at Hatchet House.

Pulling 700 pounds behind a pedal tractor can be a difficult task, but the 9-year-old is prepared and determined.

“I really wanna win, so I just keep going,” he said about that point in time when the weight gets harder and harder to move. “When I turn the age of 12, my whole room is gonna be full of trophies.”

Byron explained pedal tractor pulls are sanctioned by the National Pedal Pullers Association for youths from 4 to 12 years old. Seth has won trophies, plaques, ribbons, cash and toy tractors since he’s been pulling. He donates the toy tractors to Jubilee Christmas and uses the cash prizes to buy treats like ice cream for himself and his two siblings, Liberty, 6, and Charlie.

“If he gets into the top five at Mitchell, there’s an international competition,” Byron said.

This year, with both boys competing in South Dakota, the family is doubly thrilled.

“We’re extremely excited,” Byron said. “Everybody’s very positive about it.

“Last year, Charlie was only 3 and was ineligible to participate even though he enjoyed pedaling as much as his brother. He got to watch his brother, and I think that motivated him to want to participate with him.”

He added that he’s noticed in many sports when one sibling paves the way, it seems to make it easier for other siblings to follow. While it might make for sibling rivalry in some families, Liberty prefers dancing, singing, ballet and Barbie dolls, and Seth mentors Charlie and is proud of him.

“He likes to copy me, and he thinks I’m cool,” Seth said with a grin. “I think it’s pretty awesome me and him going back together to South Dakota. When I first saw him pulling (in Michigan) I knew he was gonna win because he was going so fast.”

According to Charlie, speed is one of his secrets.

“I went fast and my legs are big,” he explained.

His dad said Charlie also works out, riding his bike and pedal tractor all the time.

At the Michigan qualifier, where he pulled against 3- and 4-year-old boys and girls, Charlie had two full pulls of 40 feet, pulling 100 pounds the first time and 200 pounds the second. He was the lone puller to make it 40 feet with 200 pounds. He’ll compete against 4-year-old boys only in South Dakota, where his class will be the first of the morning.

“I’m just gonna go out there and do what I always do,” Charlie said of his action plan for the event.

Seth, who pulled against 9- and 10-year-old boys and girls to qualify for nationals, will pull against only 9-year-old boys the afternoon of the national event.

“We’re gonna do our best at Mitchell, South Dakota, and bring back a big trophy,” he said.

That suits Charlie just fine. He wants a trophy in his room just like big brother’s.

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