Using strength and determination, Teddy Zipoy pedals the miniature tractor with all his might. He moves over 100 pounds on the back of his tractor while participating in tractor pull competitions. As Zipoy moves forward, the tension increases which makes it harder to pull. Zipoy, of Kimball, is a national tractor pulling champion in the five-year-old category. He was awarded the title last September during the national competition in Omaha, Neb. Jason Davis, from KSTP’s Channel 5 “On the Road” segment, found out about the young champion and wanted to interview him. “[Davis] read in a paper that [Teddy] was a national champion. This was his first time talking to a tractor pull winner,” said Teddy’s mother, Sue Zipoy. To interview the young winner, Davis brought his “On the Road” van and a cameraman. “He was here a few hours,” Sue said. “They taped quite a bit while they were out here.” Sue explained that the cameraman taped Teddy playing and with his trophies. The family also had the tractors at their house so Teddy could show off his award winning talent. “[My husband and I] talked about how Teddy has fun in the tractor pulls. We also talked about how Teddy develops muscles [when participating in the pulls],” Sue said. Davis asked the family not to talk to any other reporters before the segment was aired. He met with the family early this summer and said KSTP would call before the segment was aired. The family found out last week that the story would air Wednesday, July 23 during the “Eyewitness News Midday” program from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Teddy will also be featured during the 6 p.m. evening newscast. It all started in Kimball The Zipoy family didn’t really know that Teddy had a gift for tractor pull competitions. He first participated in a contest during Kimball Days last year. “We participate in all of the Kimball Days activities,” his mom said. When they went to the tractor pull event, Teddy wanted to participate. He took first-place as a first time participant and advanced to the state competition. At state, Teddy competed against 65 other pullers and received another award. He also moved onto the national competition. While at the national event, Teddy stood in front of a table full of trophies for a picture. He looked at his parents and said he was going to win the big one. Encouraging their son, and supportive of his efforts, Teddy’s parents said, “We would be very happy if you won any trophy.” Twenty-five 5-year-old contenders vied for the national title. There were children from every part of the nation, spreading from Connecticut to Colorado. “I was the first one,” Teddy said. “I didn’t want to go first, I was scared.” Teddy overcame his fear and won the big first-place trophy. He also earned a national title. As a national champion, Teddy will also battle for an international title August 3 in Omaha, Neb. The family has planned a vacation to Omaha for the event. “We will go to the Omaha zoo, swim in the hotel pool and sightsee along the way,” Sue said. Hooked on tractors Finding that their son had this special talent, the Zipoys have taken Teddy to different events through the summer. He has earned many first-place awards for his efforts. “It is kinda fun for the family,” Sue said. “It is very attractive to go to pulls in small town communities.” The family enjoys watching Teddy and also has fun at the events. They participates in carnival rides, play games and meet new people. A modest champion and family As a national champion and feature on state news, Teddy doesn’t seem to understand how great his ability is in tractor pulling or how seldom people are featured on state news for something like this. During the interview, Teddy was equally excited to show off his rock collection as the trophies that he won. After talking for a short while, Teddy found it more entertaining to build legos with his younger brother and friend. It seemed that he has learned humility from his family. Sue said that the family is just the same as they always have been, even with the fame. They said the only difference is that tractor pulls have brought the family closer together. “It has given us more opportunities to do things together as a family,” Sue said. “It also allows us to support our kids.” Besides Teddy, the Zipoys have two other children, Hannah, 8 and Benjamin, 3. Whom they also support. Hannah enjoys playing piano and is active in girl scouts. Sue said that Hannah is very proud of her brother. When Davis came to visit the family, the parents had Hannah put out her girl scout awards and ribbons from piano while Teddy displayed wrestling awards with his tractor pull trophies. “We always encourage our children and celebrate their attempts,” Sue said. “We don’t focus on the win as much of the process and doing your best.” To view the “On the News” segment, please visit the KSTP Web site at www.kstp.com.
