A total of 36 registrants participated at the local Elks Hoop Shoot competition last Saturday at Cortez Middle School.
Of the 12 girls and 24 boys who competed, many were return shooters with several being repeat placers.
First, second- and-third-place plaques were awarded.
First place winners were, Zoey Simmons, 8-9 girls; John Thomas Carver, 8-9 boys; Makayla Long, 10-11 girls; Teagan Whiteskunk, 10-11 boys; Tyra Pinnecoose, 12-13 girls; and, Cutter Mathews, 12-13 boys.
The winners now advance to the district competition, which is held at Hotchkiss High School on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. They will compete with winners from seven other Elks Lodge's, namely Durango, Ouray, Telluride, Montrose, Delta, local district site lodge Hotchkiss and Grand Junction. These seven lodges make up the Southwestern District.
Each contestant has 25 foul shots at the hoop. The boy or girl in each age group with the best score (baskets made without technical foul penalties) has the opportunity to go to state, regional and national competitions. The Elks Hoop Shoot is in its 41st year of existence. More than 3 million kids participate annually.
The Cortez Elks Lodge is pleased to host this annual event and hopes that young folks from all local schools 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 community greatly helped promote the event.
The Elks also thanks the 19 volunteers, who worked the event and helped make the 2012 free throw competition a success.
A hamburger dinner will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 5:45 p.m. at the Cortez Elks Lodge to honor the first-place winners.
Call 882-4909 for more information.