Youths in Sunday’s Punt, Pass and Kick Contest in Imperial who took first, second and third place are, front from left, Damon Spady, Knox Paisley, Destry Oxford, Brextin Moreno, Braxton Chubb, Colin O’Neil and Camron Lempke, back from left, Miranda Spady, Karlie Anderson, Gavin Wisnieski, Tristan Jablonski, Easton Fries, Kade Anderson and Cooper Dillan. (Courtesy photo)
Punt, Pass, Kick Contest draws 24 youths
Twenty-four youths turned out for Sunday’s rescheduled Punt, Pass and Kick Contest in Imperial at the CCS football field.
In the contest, youths punt, pass and kick a football for distance and accuracy.
Youths finishing first, second and third in four age groups (girls and boys compete separately) will be presented trophies at the halftime of the Oct. 20 Longhorn football game against Chadron.
The Imperial Jaycees, who sponsor the local contest, also presented movie passes to the first place winners in each division after Sunday’s contest.
Here are the place winners in each division:
Age 6-7
Boys—1st Damon Spady, 2nd Knox Paisley.
Girls—None.
Age 8-9
Boys—1st Destry Oxford, 2nd Braxton Chubb, 3rd Brextin Moreno.
Girls—1st Miranda Spady.
Age 10-11
Boys—1st Camron Lempke, 2nd Tristan Jablonski, 3rd Gavin Wisnieski.
Girls—1st Karlie Anderson.
Age 12-13
Boys—1st tie Kade Anderson and Cooper Dillan, 2nd Easton Fries, 3rd Colin O’Neil.
Girls—None.
Jaycee Chris Lee noted there is no longer a state or regional competition for youths as the NFL is no longer sponsoring the event, and the Nebraska State Jaycees discontinued the state/regional level contests, as well. Lack of participation at the state level was also a factor, he said.
However, the Imperial Jaycees still plan to keep hosting the local event, as well as the baseball Pitch, Hit and Run Contest and Super Shooters Basketball Contest at the local level.
He added the Jaycees have talked about teaming up with the North Platte chapter and Benkelman Men’s Club in the future to offer a “state” contest in this area, but nothing has been decided.