January 11, 2025 Students from Orange Park Public Schools competed in the Knights of Columbus Annual Free Throw Championship. Since 1972, the Knights of Columbus have sponsored a Free-Throw Championship for boys and girls aged 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Boys and girls from around the area are invited to compete.
This year's competition was dedicated to Cathy Messenger, deceased wife of Sir Knight Keith Messenger, who assisted in last year's championship. The competition was named in her honor.
Knights of Columbus Council 7399 of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Orange Park conducted Council Free Throw Finals on Saturday, July 11, held at the First Baptist Church gymnasium.
Keith Messenger, Bill Kennedy, Jay Heather, Renato Sciumbata, Dan Costello, Dan Costello, Jr., and Lou Manz from the Knights of Columbus conducted the contests. At the finals, parents were on hand to encourage their favorites. Each participant was given three warm-up tosses followed by 15 consecutive free throw attempts.
The winners of the Knights of Columbus Council 7399’s Free Throw Championship were (left to right):
Lemyan Rivera - 11-year-old boys Runner Up
Silas Murphy – 10 Year-old boys
Jaxson Mauldin – 11-year-old boys
Gunnar Mauldin – 9 year-old boys
Camren McCray - 12-year-old boys
Felix Alvarez – 13-year-old boys
Missing: Brylee Kelley – 9 year-old girls; Missing: Lexi Williams – 11 year-old girls
The highlight of the competition was Jaxson Mauldin, last year's State Champion and his younger brother Gunnar each making 12 of their 15 free throws. These winners will now compete at the Knights of Columbus District Free Throw Championship will be held at Annunciation Catholic School at 9:00 am on January 25.
Photos provided by Lou Manz, Free Throw Championship Chairman.
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