ROCHESTER— Although kids came from Lakeville, Acushnet and Freetown for the annual Frog Derby, when it was all said and done, it was Rochester’s frogs who could not be beat.

We chatted with a few winners (kids not frogs) to get the secrets of their success.

Trevor Stopka, 1st place small division:

How did you catch your frog?
We had a fishing pole and we took it off the hook and let it swallow it. Then we threw it up in the air and caught it with a net.

What was your strategy to win?
I banged on the ground next to the frog.

Gabe Noble Shriver, 1st place medium size:

Where did you get your frog?
My pond in the back of my house.

What’s your frog’s name and how did you choose him as the one to race?
Rupert. He was the biggest one I caught.

What was your strategy for winning?
Catch the frog the day before and keep it healthy.

Now what are you going to do with it?
I’m going to let it go and hope I can race it next year.

Kaylee Glidden, 2nd place medium division:

Where did your frogs come from?
I got the frogs from Laurie Susan’s cranberry bog (Rochester). That’s where all three of the frogs are from in first, second and third place.

How many did you catch?
17

How did you pick which ones to race?
Most of them got eaten by the big ones so I only have four left.

What’s the winner’s name?
Three Hop Fred

What happens to Fred after the race?
He goes back to his home in the bog.