Not Just So-So at State Yo-Yo Contest

Yo-yo enthusiasts, including several Orono kids, competed in the Minnesota State Yo-Yo Contest over the weekend at Rosedale Center.

What draws these kids to yo-yo?

“The community,” said Orono sixth grader Jeffery Sparks who competed in the junior freestyle division. 

“You can make up tricks,” said Nicholas Larsen, 10. His favorite trick is called split-the-atom. 

“It takes a lot of skill and I like to challenge myself,” said 10-year-old Will Buck. Despite his string knotting up during his performance, Buck declared the experience “really fun.”   

“It’s creative,” said fifth grader John Kasner. “Last summer, my grandma took me to the dollar store and I got a yo-yo. I’ve been yo-yoing ever since.”

How did he prepare for the competition?  

“Practice,” Kasner said.

Kasner was the highest-ranked Orono kid, finishing 13th out of 38 contestants

Judges included 2005 yo-yo world champion John Narum and professional yo-yo master Dazzling Dave. 

Each freestyle contestant had one minute to yo-yo to music of their choice. 

Bauer Barry selected music by rapper Flo Rida. Barry's parents and three siblings came to cheer on the Orono fourth grader.

Asked if he was nervous, Barry said, “kind of.” Barry brought his favorite yo-yo, a Genesis. 

“I also brought two spares,” he said, pointing to the yo-yos in his pockets.

“He yo-yos every day, all the time,” said dad David Barry.   

“He'll set the table and yo-yo at the same time,” added mom Dana Barry.

Orono eighth graders Graham Bull and Henry Larson were in the crowd of spectators. 

“I came to get inspired,” said Bull. “My brother gave me a yo-yo for Christmas, so I’ve only been doing it for four months.”

“I bring my yo-yo to school, and do it to pass time,” Larson said. His favorite trick is called cold fusion.

Orono first grader Charlie Kraus watched the contest with his father. 

“He yo-yos with his friends,” said Tom Kraus. “They like to one-up each other.”

Charlie’s big sister, Margaret, doesn’t share his passion for yo-yo. 

“I’m not into it,” she said.

Parents don’t seem to mind buying yo-yos and strings, which must be replaced every couple of weeks.

“It's good for their self-esteem and improves their eye-hand coordination,” said parent Michael Kasner.

The contest was sponsored by Air Traffic, a kite and game store. The winner of each division took home a Minnesota-shaped trophy, dubbed the “MinneYophe.” 

Contest results will be posted at www.mnyoyo.com.