All the right pieces: Fifth annual tournament tests speed and skill

The Friends of the Hastings Memorial Library hosted their fifth annual jigsaw puzzle competition Saturday, April 11, at the Perkins County Senior Center, drawing a record 63 participants across youth and adult divisions.

The event marked the largest turnout since the contest began in 2022, with competitors participating in individual and team categories. Youth divisions included nine two-person teams and one individual participant, while the adult divisions featured two individual competitors, eight two-person teams and seven four-person teams.

Puzzle sizes ranged from 100 pieces for the youngest participants to 750 pieces for the adult four-person teams. Organizers also offered a potluck snack and drink bar for participants and spectators throughout the competition.

All contestants received keepsake, puzzle piece-shaped magnets created using equipment from the library’s makerspace. Puzzles used in the competition are available for purchase at the library for $10 each, with proceeds supporting library programming.

Results from the competition are as follows:

In the youth first- and second-grade team division (100-piece, “Farm Animals”), Oliver Barrett and Alex Fortkamp took first place.

In the youth third- and fourth-grade team division (150-piece, “Enchanting Forest”), Will and Rett Robertson placed first, followed by Lainey Lee and Eli Sowle in second. Maverick Day earned first place in the individual division.

In the youth fifth- and sixth-grade team division (200-piece, “The Little Cottage”), Taylor Fortkamp and Braelynn Barrett placed first, with Everett and Asher Deaver finishing second and Rylie Buller and Liza Robertson taking third.

In the youth seventh- and eighth-grade team division (300-piece, “Pretty Peacock”), Corali Seger and Alexa Kraus earned first place. Rowan and Reiken Lee finished second, followed by Molly Day and Bella Gengenbach in third.

In the adult individual division (300-piece, “Pretty Peacock”), Haley Dunn placed first, with Janie Colglazier finishing second.

In the adult two-person team division (500-piece, “Pop Art Cat”), Madi Swesey and Grace LaGrange claimed first place, followed by Hanna Colglazier and Haley Schneider in second. Additional teams included Shelby Day and Connie Thompson; Roxie and Alisa Lampmann; Rodolfo Aragon and Annabelle Kimble; Darlene Hastings and Molly Deaver; Shawnda Ducker and Donna Werley; and Ronda Lawyer and Jorga Gloy.

In the adult four-person team division (750-piece, “Cabin in the Cove”), the team of Brenna Colglazier, Myles Bishop, Cecilia Putnam and Gavin Kohmetcher took first place. Judy Hilferty and Company finished second. Other participating teams included Olga Dunn, Angie Patrick, Marilyn McDaniel and Trisha Oxford; Val Foster, Jaralyn Forney, Angela Gloy and Shari Freidel; Mary Kay McClenahan, Geri Mundy and Dolores Gurule; Spencer Johnson and parents; and Melanie DeHart, Lisa and Jason Fortkamp, and Breanna Barrett.

Organizers said the continued growth of the event reflects strong community support and enthusiasm for the annual competition.