K of C crowns free throw champions
Participants at Saturday’s Knights of Columbus annual free throw competition battled both their competitors and nerves during the event at Holy Cross.
Kaitlyn McGean, who won the 13-year-old girls division by making 10 of 15 free throw attempts, agreed it’s a little scary shooting in front of judges and a gym full of spectators.
“I just get up there and all the nerves go away,” said the Grade 8 student at St. Anthony’s. “You have to get up there and get over it.”
She has no secrets to share about her success.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe practice, I guess.”
Kaitlyn, who has hit 12 of 15 free throws in her best performance, practises two or three times a week. She plays basketball for her school but not at the travel level. She does compete in travel soccer with Club Roma.
With her first-place showing, Kaitlyn and the top five finishers in all the categories advance to the district competition to be held Feb. 9 at Holy Cross. She has set the bar high for the next event.
“I am going try and get 25 out of 25,” she said. “It’s going to take lots of practice.”
Winners at the district level advance to a regional competition in Waterloo where their scores are compared with participants from across Ontario and Canada.
Saturday’s competition was open to all 9- to 13-year-old boys and girls from St. Catharines. Kevin VanLeeuwen, the co-chairman of the event, said the Knights of Columbus council has been running the event for more than 20 years.
“It’s our opportunity to give back to the community and to involve youngsters in the community in a friendly competition,” VanLeeuwen said. “It’s great and it supports a lot of different causes.”
His favourite part of the day is watching all the competitors and how well they get along.
“A lot of the kids know each other and you see them high-fiving each other and it’s great to see all the parents out supporting their kids.”
There were about 15 to 20 Knights helping out at the competition along with about five or six high school volunteers.
More than 200 kids took part in Saturday’s event.
“The numbers are strong and it all comes down to participating schools sending their winners,” VanLeeuwen said.
The event is financed by the Knights of Columbus with the Niagara River Lions chipping in some swag for the participants.
“Cogeco and BPSN also come out and it is great to have those community partnerships,” he said.
Nine-year-old girls: 1. Paieton Dacosta, Canadian Martyrs 8-15; Sofia Sestili, St. Anthony 7-15; Sianna Perdue, Mother Theresa 6-15; Mattea Gandola, Assumption 6-15; Tatianah Williams, SMB 4-15.
Nine-year-old boys: London Perdue, Mother Theresa 12-15; Dawid Arnold, St Anthony 11-15; Tyler Steeves, Lockview 8-15; Nevan Sammy, Carleton 6-15; Lucas Srigley, Monsignor Clancy 6-15.
10-year-old girls: Kate DeVries, Dalewood 10-15; Sydney Miele, St. Peters 8-15; Sophia Verrelli, Canadian Martyrs 7-15; Talia Goveia, St. Anthony 6-15; Nia Davidson, SMB 6-15.
10-year-old boys: Isaak Pino-Martinez, 13-15; Jayden Brisebois, SMB 12-15; Easton Pairier, Westdale 11-15; Jalen French, Monsignor Clancy 11-15; Chase McLean 11-15.
11-year-old girls: Morgan Barker, Jeanne Sauve 12-15; Olivia Hill, Monsignor Clancy 12-15; Ava Gray, St. Peter’s 12-15; Madison Hollingworth, Port Weller 11-15; Olivia Niki-Ediger, Canadian Martyrs 10-15.
11-year old boys: Matteo D’Aria, Canadian Martyrs 11-15; Josh Sanecki, St. Peter’s 11-15; Lincoln Marsh-Hall, Monsignor Clancy 11-15; Caleb Gandza, Lockview 11-15; Cameron Treige, Power Glen 10-15.
12-year-old girls: Jenna Berry, St. Anthony 13-15; Talia Cosby, Lockview 10-15; Mairead Newhouse, Assumption 8-15; Kassidy Clemmenson, St. Peter’s 8-15; Thovie Kaizelle Ramos, Canadian Martyrs 8-15.
12 year-old boys: Nathan Wan, Jeanne Sauve 12-15; Austin Reynolds, St. Theresa 11-15; Luca Rescigno, Mother Theresa 11-15; Tyler Buchan, Westdale 11-15; Matthew DiPietro, St. Anthony 11-15.
13-year-old girls: Kaitlyn McGean, St. Anthony 10-15; Ava Verrelli, Canadian Martyrs 8-15; Kori Zukowsky, St. Denis 7-15; Arwyn Sammy, Carleton 6-15; Emma Connolly, Jeanne Sauve 6-15.
13-year-old boys: Mazen Yagubi, Westdale 13-15; Elijah Rutherford, Power Glen 13-15; Declan Whittard, St. Peter’s 11-15; Campbell Hastings, St. Anthony 11-15; Matthew Taubeneck, Jeanne Sauve 10-15.
