Local Teens Compete in National Soap Box Derby - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.- A group of teens from Cookeville took on competitors from across the nation at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Ohio Saturday.

More than 500 boys and girls from across the country and as far away as New Zealand were at the world-famous Derby Downs track this weekend.

Racers between the ages of eight and 17 spend months building their gravity-powered race cars.

The Tennessee team included Catherine Carney, Grace Hajdik, Mikayal Farley, Leah Gunnels and Samuel Shaver.

Each had to compete in a local derby in order to earn their trip to Akron. Among the group, Carney placed 6th in the nation for the Ultimate Speed Division.