A grand total of 33 registrants participated at the local Elks Hoop Shoot competition last Saturday at the Cortez Middle School Gymnasium.
Six area schools were represented, including Dolores Elementary School, CMS, Kemper, Manaugh, Mesa and Lighthouse Christian Academy.
Of the 15 girls and 18 boys who competed, many were return shooters with numerous being repeat placers. First, second- and-third-place plaques were awarded. First-place honor categories are as follows: 8 to 9 girls and boys, Makayla Long and Ry Silversmith; 10-11 girls and boys, Tyra Pinnecoose and Ethan Long; and, 12-13 girls and boys, Madison Archuleta and Quanah Casey.
These six first-place winners now advance to the district competition, which will be held at CMS on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. They will compete with winners from seven other Elks Lodge locals namely Durango, Ouray, Telluride, Montrose, Delta,
Hotchkiss and Grand Junction, which comprise the Southwestern District.
Each contestant has 25 free-throw shots at the hoop. The boy and girl in each age group with the best score (baskets made without technical foul penalties) has the opportunity to go on to compete in state, regional and national competitions.
The Elks Hoop Shoot is in its 40th year of national competition. More than 3 million boys and girls participate annually.
The Cortez Elks Lodge is pleased to host this annual event and hope that young folks from all local schools will compete again next year.
The Elks greatly appreciates the participation and cooperation of the Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 School District for the use of the CMS Gym. All area schools, teachers and families of the communities are appreciated in helping to promote this event and support the local youth.
There were 19 volunteers that worked and helped make the 2011 local Elks Hoop Shoot a success.
A hamburger dinner will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 5:45 p.m. at the Elks Lodge to honor the first-place winners and their families. They will be later introduced at the Elks Lodge meeting.
