PORT JERVIS – After a two-year hiatus, The Port Jervis Soap Box Derby returned Sunday as more than 80 children competed to become one of the city’s champions. Kids ages eight to 18 competed in four divisions: Stock, Super Stock, Super Kids and Masters.
“We are so happy to be back racing,” said Billy McKerrell, the derby’s director. “We have really missed these kids’ faces. Especially all the smiles!”
The kids climbed into their cars, tucked their heads down as low as possible and raced toward victory lane. Vendors and spectators lined the streets to cheer on the competitors.
Justin Hadden, nine, won in the Stock Division; Matteo Colon, 12, won in the Super Stock Division; Rylin Marshall,16, won in the Super Kids Division; and Jaelyn Csencsits, 17, won in the Masters Division. All will now travel to Ohio to represent Port Jervis in the International Soap Box Derby in July.
“This was my first year and it was so fun!” said Justin Hadden who won in the Stock Division. With a smile ear to ear he proudly exclaimed, “I had no idea I might win!”
The 2022 Port Jervis Soap Box Derby was presented by Cornerstone Family Healthcare and generously sponsored by many supporters including The Mohican Inn, ShopRite, M&T Bank, Bon Secours Community Hospital, the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis and Technically Creative.
This year’s race results:
| Super Stock | Super Kids | Masters | Stock | |
| 2022 Champions | Matteo Colon | Rylin Marshall | Jaelyn Csencsits | Justin Hadden |
| 2nd Place | Nick Bisland | Tyler Timoldi | Grace Malzahn | Robbie Donato |
| 3rd Place | Olivia Miller-Coerts | Erin Brown | Emma Simmons | Jazmyn Hedges |
| 4th Place | Mitchell Demberg | Lucy McDermott & Isabella Silva (Tie) | Autumn Bennett | Kevin DeGroat |
