BB Queens win grease pole crown

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Sam Remley of Albion, the last climber for the BB Queens, propels himself over Taylor Soule and makes it to the top of the grease pole in 18.80 seconds, the fastest time of the week in the grease pole competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

That time was part of the qualifier on Saturday. The BB Queens then competed in the championship round and bested three other teams for the title.

The BB Queens are all smiles after winning the title. The team mostly consists of recent Albion graduates. The group includes, front row, from left: Halle Jurs, Cady Messmer, Sam Remley and Taylor Soule. Back row: Grease pole event chairman Jeremy Neal, Marco Lopez, Hannah Hapeman, Brooke Bensley and Jessica Grimes.

The BB Queens race to the pole in the championship round. They climbed the grease-covered pole in 23.13 seconds to win the title. They won $100 for first place.

The team competed in the contest for the first time in 2014. Brooke Bensley is the team captain.

“We have so much fun,” Bensely said. “It’s about getting all of the high school kids together.”

The BB Queens work their way up the pole. Sam Remley, the last climber for the team, was called the BB Queens “secret weapon.” He has the upper body strength and agility to climb up three stacked people.

A big crowd gathered to watch the competition on Saturday night.

Jackie Sponaugle of Holley serves as the base for a team called Lyntucky Hicks. Kevin Ginger of Albion is climbing on Sponaugle, trying to be the second person on the pole.

Jackie Sponaugle holds up two people on the pole. He got more grease on his face as the team tried to work its way up the pole. The Lyntucky Hicks didn’t quite get to the top in the qualifying round on Saturday.

The Udder Suckers compete in the finals on Saturday. Neal Kruger of Holley is nearly to top with his feet on the shoulder of Noah Preston of Albion.

Neal Kruger smiles after reaching the top of the grease pole for the Udder Suckers, which finished third overall in the finals with a time of 31.18 seconds. The Troll Diggers were second at 26.61 seconds. Lusciously Lube was fourth at 36.62 seconds.

Lusciously Lube’s top three climbers include Devan Freeman on top, followed by Ben Martin and Mike Murphy.

The A Team gets in position to climb the pole. The climbers include Devin Taylor at left, Jake Vick at center and Larry Vick at right. The team was wearing shirts in support of Tom Drennan for sheriff.

A full moon was out Saturday for the competition, which has been a tradition at the fair for about 40 years.