Arizona Man Wins Michigan Cherry Pit Spitting Contest

EAU CLAIRE, Mich. (AP) — A man nicknamed "Pellet Gun" has won a cherry pit spitting contest in southwestern Michigan for the 16th time.

Rick Krause of Tuba City, Arizona, had a pit spit of 48 feet, 2 ¼ inches Saturday, defeating son Brian Krause by more than a foot at the 43rd annual contest.

Brian Krause is known as "Young Gun." He also finished second last year but is a past winner.

A member of the Krause family has won 27 contests since the event began in 1974 to celebrate tart cherries. It's held at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire, 100 miles from Chicago.

About 200 people competed in the early round, with roughly 45 advancing to the final round in different categories.

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