DP Sports

Five boys and three girls from the Back Mountain area were named local winners of the 2010 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.

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Winners in the 2010 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship and those who made the event a success are, from left, first row, Bill Roberts, Free Throw chairman; Paul Tomanek, Warden; Jack Cacozza, Grand Knight; and Bob Lukas, Trustee. Second row, Emily Heltzel, 11-year-old girls’ champion; Tal’ia Kosierowski, 10-year-old girls’ champion; Joe Bevevino, 11-year-old boys’ champion; Rory Mullin, 15-year-old boys’ champion; Jonathan Wilson, 12-year-old boys’ champion; Nick Kocher, 10-year-old boys’ champion; and Brendan Baloh, 13-year-old boys’ champion. Third row, Paul Benedetti, Paul Reich, Stanley Zamerowski, Marty Lukas, trustee; Tom Casey, Financial Secretary and Ed Sholtis, Deputy Grand Knight. Absent at the time of the photo was Lindsey Oremus.

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Nicole Cavanaugh warms up prior to the free throw competition.

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They have earned the right to compete at the district level in February. The Back Mountain Knights of Columbus sponsored the local competition at the Gate of Heaven School gymnasium. All area youngsters ages 10 to 14 were eligible to participate.

Tal’ia Kosierowski was the 10-year-old girls’ champion and Nick Kotcher was the winner of the 10-year-old boys’ division.

In the 11-year-olds’ bracket, Emily Heltzel was the girls’ champion and Joe Bevevino was the boys’ champion.

Twelve-year-old winners in the girls’ and boys’ divisions were Lindsey Oremus and Jonathan Wilson.

The 13-year-old boys’ division was won by Brendan Baloh.

The 14-year-old boys’ champion was Rory Mullin, a returning 2009 champion.

Each contestant was allowed 15 free throw attempts in the contests. Ties were settled by successive rounds of five free throws per contestant until a winner emerged.

Each of these winners will compete in the district competition to be held on Feb.14 at West Side Career & Technology Center, Pringle, with an eye toward moving on to the state and international levels.