click images to view

Four-year-old Molly Mullen jumped rope for the first time Sunday, and during her jump-roping contest debut, she took first place in her division.

Granted, she jumped unopposed.

“It’s kind of fun when you jump rope,” Molly said after her victory.

Though new to the sport, the 4-year-old vowed to continue practicing when she returns to Florida, her home state. Molly’s family is vacationing in Morgan County this week.

“We’ll get you a jump rope at home, and we’ll continue your career,” her mother, Sheila, said with a laugh.

Molly was one of several participants at the Morgan County Antique Machinery Association jump-roping contest at the Morgan County Fair Sunday. And she wasn’t the only Mullen bringing home top honors.

Molly’s sister, Megan, won the 7-year-old division after an endurance battle with her best friend, Anna Crean, who is also from Florida. Megan said she’d been preparing for her victory moment for quite some time.

“It was very exciting,” she said. “It was fun.”

However, Megan said the victory was bittersweet, as she had to out-duel Anna, her BFF who taught her how to jump rope. But the roar of the crowd kept her focused, she said.

“So I kept going. ...It was just inspiring,” Megan said.

In the 9-year-old division, the last two competitors, Christina McKowen and Annah Elliott, had to endure the elements. Christina was competing barefoot on the concrete surface, and Annah’s shoe came untied during the competition.

Yet, Annah, who learned to jump rope from her brother when she was 4, persisted and secured first place.

Bryanna Collier, 12, of Martinsville, won the 11 and up division. A jump-roper since elementary school, she was proud of her victory.

“It feels pretty good,” Bryanna said, surrounded by friends and well-wishers.

To win, competitors had to outlast the field. If a participant tripped or stumbled while competing, he or she was deemed “out.” Actual ropes were used — no beaded jump ropes were used in this contest.

Winners received their choice of candy, seemingly to counteract the energy expended during the competition and ensure that there would be no early bedtimes for the participants.

Game coordinator Shannon Schoolcraft said the antique machinery association has held the jump rope contest for the last three years. The “old-fashioned” games were designed to give the children something to do during the association’s activities, she said.

“We originally started it just for our shows,” Schoolcraft said, adding that the association expanded the games to include the fair. “They enjoy the prizes.”

The association will host other games throughout the week of the fair. The Nail Driving Contest will be at 8 p.m. today, the Cherry Pit Spitting Contest will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday and the Pie Eating Contest will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday.