Jeff Hajny

    We have many winners of competitions walking among us on the streets, but how often do we have a world champion in our midst?
     Seward resident Kelly "Stu" Petersen was awarded World Horseshoe Champion at the world tournament in Ardmore, Okla.
     In order to compete in the event, Petersen had to compete in three sanctioned tournaments three months prior to the event in order to figure his average score.
     The world competition took place between the dates and July 23 to Aug. 4 and featured 59 classes.
     Petersen competed in the Men's Class C-2 division with 15 others.
     The event featured competitors from throughout the country.
     "It was only people from the U.S. competing this year," Petersen said. "Last year, a guy from Norway won in one of the divisions."
     The tournament was round-robin and at the end, each thrower's average was taken. Petersen was tied with Bud Dodson from Texas. Both had won 11 and lost four matches. Petersen and Dodson went head to head, and Petersen won the tiebreaker.
     "The averages were very close so it was anybody's game throughout the entire competition," Petersen said.
     Throughout the tournament, Petersen averaged 48.3. His average going into the tournament was 42.5.
     Petersen said he does not think he will compete in the event next year because it is in Pennsylvania and is too far of a trip. The year after the tournament will be in Springfield, Ill.
     "I'll be able to make it to Illinois I think," Petersen said.
     Petersen fondly remembers when he won.
     "I couldn't believe it at the time. This was the fourth one I went to and this was the only one I competed in that I pitched really well. I was just feeling it," Petersen said.