Five (5) boys and girls from Goodrich, Ortonville, Holly and Oxford, ages 9-14, were named local champions of the 2004 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship and have earned the right to compete at the district level. Father George Ging Council 6824 in Ortonville sponsored the competition at the Brandon Middle School gymnasium in Ortonville. All youngsters ages 9-14 were eligible to participate.
Dirk Berta was the winner of the boys? 10-year-old division. In the 11-year-old bracket, Alyssa Howard was the girls? champion, while Matt Pudlo was the boys? champion. Matt Sheperd won the 12-year-old boys? division. The thirteen-year-old boys? champion was Glen Howard. A couple of 8-year-olds were eager to compete, with Jeff Dawley coming out on top. Each contestant was allowed 15 free throw attempts in the contest. Ties were settled by successive rounds of five free throws per contestant until a winner emerged.
The winners in the 10-year and above age groups are eligible to compete in the district competition on Feb. 7, 2004 at Holy Family School Gymnasium in Rochester Hills with an eye toward moving on to the state and international levels.
On behalf of Grand Knight Ken Sheperd, the Father George Ging Council 6824 would like to thank all the boys and girls who participated in the event, and the Brandon Township Recreation staff for their assistance in this year’s competition.