By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
More than 6,100 rubber ducks peddled their way to the finish line for a $10,000 prize at the tenth-annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County Duck Derby.
The main events on Wednesday at the Hays Aquatic Park also included a Duck Dash for kids with prizes for the top 20 and a cardboard boat regatta for businesses.
The winners of the grand prize and nine other prizes were announced Wednesday and were published today on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Facebook page:
First - Brett Zollinger - $10,000 grand prize
Second - Kerry Wasinger - one night stay-cation in a spa cabin
Third - Kalin LaBarge - Apple iPad
Fourth - Curt & Jeanna Wellbrock - two round-trip airline tickets
Fifth - Gary Short - iRobot Roomba
Sixth - Bryan Phillips - Napoleon Travel Q Grill and $200 gift card from Bigg E Meats
Seventh - Mike Koerner - two GA Fort Hays State University all-sport tickets for 2025 to 2026 season
Eighth - Kathy Rupp - Ray-Ban sunglasses and Shoeless Joe vintage baseball glove
Ninth prize - Darrell Seibel - $300 gift card from Walmart
10th prize - JoAnne Berens - Breathe Coffee House gift basket
Last place duck - Christa Language - duck bluetooth shower speaker
Zollinger said half of the $10,000 award will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.
High Plains Baptist Church received the Spirit Award and the 2025 Forward Always Cardboard Regatta - Race for a Cause Champion Award, taking first place.
The Hays Water Resource Department received the Best in Show award and the Big Brothers Big Sisters match team received the Titanic Award.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County has made 160 matches so far this year with individuals or families who provide support and mentorship. 34 children are on a waiting list for their match.
For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit its website or Facebook page.
The Local Food Truck was at the race, donating 10% of sales. All proceeds from the Duck Derby will go towards Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters.