2018 ROHOF Inductees

The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following two candidates for induction in 2018.

Receiving the Golden Hay Hook Awards at the 2018 AV Fair Kickoff dinner are from left: Max Harter holding Adalyn, and Randy Jaqua.

Max Harter

Max Harter has competed in more different Rural Olympics events than anyone in its long history. From 2005 through 2016 Max entered eight different individual events: Hay Loading-Mechanical Field Loader, Hay Stealing, Antique Auto Potato Race, Tractor Barrel Race, Toughest Farmhand, Men’s Tractor Stake Race with Sickle Bar, Skid Steer, and the Hay Loading Contest. In 2010 he earned the nickname “Iron Max” by competing in all eight of these events on the same day. Max did exceptionally well in competition finishing in the top three places 37 times while taking home the first place trophy 15 times and establishing new record times twice in the Tractor Barrel Race in 2010 and 2011, as well as in the Toughest Farmhand Contest in 2008.

In addition to being a competitor, Max joined the Rural Olympics Committee in 2005 as a Runner, carrying official results from the timers to the scorekeepers. He continued volunteering as a member of the committee until 2016. Max is a second generation Hall of Famer, joining his dad, Scott who was inducted in 2012.

Pictured is Max competing in the 2013 Toughest Farmhand.

Randy Jaqua

Randy Jaqua becomes a third generation “Golden Hay Hook “ recipient as he joins his Grandpa Don “Jake” Jaqua Sr., his dad Sheldon and his uncle Don Jr. in the Rural Olympics Hall of Fame. Randy first entered the Rural Olympics competition in 1978 as a contestant in the Model T Ford Race. He is well remembered for his several years coaching the Westside Tug of War Team – with his very enthusiastic running back & forth getting the team members to PULLLL together then periodically digging in and taking a short rest. In 1982 he became part of the Rural Olympics Committee on the Protest Committee. Over the next 22 years he was part of the Arena and Judges Committees as well as the Official Starter for many of the individual contests. Randy volunteered as an AV Fair Director from 1992 through 1998 followed by working as the Deputy Manager of the AV Fair while also volunteering as the Co- Chairman and Coordinator of the Rural Olympics until 2003.