Area hoop shooters advance to district
Reilley Hettver, Ashley Huber, Jenna Degen, Jordan Schommer, Nick Ackerman and Zach Struss advanced to district competition following the recent 37th annual Elks Hoop Shoot free-throw event hosted by the Brainerd Elks Lodge at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
Three girls and three boys, ages 8-13, advanced.
First-place trophies were awarded to ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.
Reilley Hettver, St. Francis School, defeated Cami Harmer, Baxter, while Kylie Woidyla, Pillager, finished third in the girls' 8-9 category.
Jordan Schommer, Pequot Lakes Eagle View, won the boys' 8-9 category. Kameron Vanek, Baxter Elementary, finished second and Brady Raph, Pine River-Backus, was third.
Elks Hoop Shoot winners included Zach Oldre (front, left), Ashley Huber, Kylie Woidyla, Kameron Vanek, McCale Peterson, Matt Tautges, Brady Raph, Zach Struss (second row, left), Jenna Degen, Katy Johnson, Jack Kreitz, Nick Ackerman, Emily Markham, Samantha Littman, Hoop Shoot representatives Bob Osborne (back, left), Dale Swenson and Dick Lyscio.
Ashley Huber, Baxter Elementary, placed first with Samantha Littman, Pequot Lakes Eagle View, second and Gabrielle Martin, Pillager, third in the girls' 10-11 bracket.
Nick Ackerman, Pine River-Backus, paced the boys' 10-11 age group with McCale Peterson, Lowell Elementary, second and Matt Tautges, Forestview Middle School, third.
In the girls' 12-13 division, Forestview had the top three placers, led by Jenna Degen. She was followed by Emily Markham and Katy Johnson.
In the boys' 12-13 category, Zach Struss, Pine River-Backus, was champion with Jack Kreitz, Pequot Lakes, second. Third place went to Zach Oldre, Pine River-Backus.
District competition is scheduled Jan. 23 at Wadena. First-place winners will compete against winners from Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Hutchinson, Wadena and Willmar.