Council Completes Its Annual Free-Throw Championship

When students returned to school, the Council approached the public schools in Orange Park, as it usually does, to invite their participation in the Knights of Columbus’ Annual Free-Throw Competition. The invitation was rebuffed by most of the schools, citing too busy or lack of interest by the athletic department.  The Council arranged to conduct an “outside of school” championship event, with the schools providing students with the information. On the day of the competition, no students showed up to participate.

While this would have satisfied the Councils requirements to get credit for its efforts, members of the committee were not content and decided to invite the other Councils, whose parishes feed Annunciation Catholic School, to participate in another free-throe competition at Annunciation. St. Catherine Council 7399 was the only council able to send volunteers on the date and time arranged with Mr. Steven Eiswert, Principal of the school and Athletic Director, Mr. Tracy Thurson.

        The event was well coordinated with Principal Eiswert and Mr. Thurson.  Nearly 150 students took part in the event.  Volunteers from the Council included Dan Costello, Dan Costello, Jr., Dan Donovan, Bill Kennedy, Keith Messinger, Dave Miller, Renato Sciumbata, Raul Tecson, Johnny Thielen, and Chairman, Lou Manz.

          Winners were finalized at a tie-breaker shoot off on January 15 at the school. 

In the boys' divisions, the results were as follows:

AGE-NAME (PLACE)

10-Evert Fitzpatrick (First Place)

10-Wvan Acosta-Hernandez (Second Place)

11-R.J. Allchin (First Place)

11-Wes Flanaan (Second Place)

12-Aiden Calderon (First Place)

12-Edward Acosta-Hernandez (Second Place Tie)

12-Michael Perkins (Second Place Tie)

13-Archer Abt (First Place)

13-Jacob Bujold (Second Place)

14-Harrison Henderson (First Place)

14-Junior Gonzalez (Second Place)

In the girls’ divisions, the results were as follows:

 AGE-NAME (PLACE)

10-Kylie Teachout (First Place)

10-Ellen Barreto (Second Place)

11-Ari Carreon (First Place)

12-Giselle Kumado (First Place)

12-Leila Halasi (Second Place)

13-Elliette Shelton (First Place)

13-Emalise Delora-Torrez (Second Place)

14-Natalie Mendez (First Place)

14-Lynne Burbos (Second Place)

Since our Council was the only council in the District to conduct a competition, our winners were automatically given the distinction of being District Champions and will advance to the Regional Championship to be held at Resurrection Catholic School in Jacksonville,  on February 21.  Winners of this challenge will advance to the State Finals being held sometime in March, usually somewhere like Melbourne.

           Congratulations to our winners!  And a huge thank you to all our volunteers!

Free-Throw Chairman, Lou Manz