Two Local Lumber Jills Compete at Lumberjack World Championships

HAYWARD, Wis. (Northern News Now) – The Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward may have Jack in the name, but two local Lumber Jills are hoping to make a splash at this year’s competition.

”Women’s matches are way more fun,” laughed Allie Duclos.

The 18-year-old has been competing in log rolling since she was a little girl.

”It’s just fun to roll on them and fun to almost fall off, but then you can save yourself and get back up,” she said.

Log rolling is exactly what it sounds like.

Two people stand on the same log and you roll it to gain control trying to knock your opponent off the log while trying to stay on yourself.

Duclos is competing in both log rolling and boom running at the championship games. This weekend, she may be going toe to toe with her friend Hayward native Madalyn Lyons.

”I think it makes it a lot more fun, because if I lose to someone, I’m not upset about it, because I say I hope they go far and I hope they succeed in the rest of the day,” said Lyons.

Lyons started when she was four and fell in love.

The hobby quickly became a profession.

”I had so many people that I looked up to and so I just really wanted to join them as a pro,” she said.

Representing not only women in the sport, but Hayward as well.

”I think it really helps people remember Hayward,” said Lyons. “it’s very nice that I have the support in these people that want me to do really good.”

Weeks before the big competition, both women are on the lake several hours a day.

”Log rolling really pushes me to get outside get fresh air, move my legs, and get my breathing going so I definitely do think it’s good for your mentality and overall wellness,” said Duclos.

And both women say it doesn’t matter who you are, their passion to compete comes from their passion to inspire.

”Log rolling originally started out with men and the loggers where they would roll the logs down the river, so I think it’s really nice that women can do this,” said Duclos.

”It’s important that we acknowledge that there is differences but also important that anyone can beat anyone,” said Lyons. “I always tell them I’m teaching you to beat me when you get older and so I just want them to grow up and try their hardest and be the best they can be.”

The Lumberjack World Championship finals for women are on Saturday at 5:30 P.M. in both log rolling and boom running.

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