Punt, Pass & Kick Competition Set for July 26

Parents and kids alike enjoyed a beautiful 83-degree Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition on Saturday afternoon at the Ramer Field Sports Complex.

The event began at noon, with a total of 100 children participating in the event. The competition was lined with eight different divisions, two groups consisting of girls. It was the second straight year the competition included a girls’ bracket.

The event is made successful by the many volunteers that commit their time to help make the day run smoother for the youngsters. Some of the volunteers include, UWRF Assistant Football Coach Andy Koltenicki and members of the UWRF football team, the River Falls ambassadors Taylor Bothwell, Abby Lindevig, Lindsie Freeborn, Alyssa Redick and many Chiefs Summer Training Camp volunteers.

Alumnus John Strharsky spent his afternoon taking down distances of the nine-year old boys age bracket for the competition. With a rope and spare football in-hand volunteers Stephanie Stewart and Kelsey Haider measured off the distances in which the ball landed. John has been involved with camp for three out of the last four years as he sported his 2005, 15th anniversary Chiefs residence living t-shirt.

Pete Drost, another volunteer thought helping out with camp would be a great way to give back to the community. Pete commented that seeing a real NFL team in his hometown, no matter what team, is a good experience.

Blake Skogen, the winner of the 8 year-old group, tallied a scored of 155- feet 6 inches, while supporting his favorite team, the Badgers. Before the event Skogen mentioned how he had been practicing with dad and use to play flag football in Woodbury, Minn.

Last year, 12 year-old Brad Freeborn won the competition. In this year’s event he totaled over 60 more feet, than he did last year, as he finished in second place.

After the competition all age groups were called together to receive ribbons. UWRF Public Affairs Director Mark Kinders then announced the first, second, and third place award winners. UWRF Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance, Mary Halada, and Chiefs Executive Vice President/Operating Officer, Denny Thum, handed the young participants the awards as they posed for pictures.

Girls- 8-10 year olds
1. Karly Murphy, River Falls, Wis., 139-4
2. Unavailable
3. Afton Eisch, Hudson Wis., 79-7
Girls- 11-13 year olds
1. Alexandra Ronnestrand, River Falls, Wis., 174-3
2. Melanie Williams, River Falls, Wis., 155-9
3. Audrey Larsen, Somerset, Wis., 110-7
Boys- 8 year olds
1. Blake Skogen, River Falls, Wis., 155-6
2. Blais Richartz, Menomonie, Wis., 138-7
3. Ryan Spafford, River Falls, Wis., 109-8
Boys- 9 year olds
1. Roshaun Johnson, River Falls, Wis., 215-4
2. Travis Spafford, River Falls, Wis., 179-9
3. Unavailable
Boys- 10 year olds
1. Brandon Gilbertson, Clayton, Wis., 209-3
2. Ryan Cotter, Overlan Park, Kan., 195-11
3. Lucus Luedtke, River Falls, Wis., 192-11
Boys- 11 year olds
1. Jonathon Krueger, River Falls, Wis., 243-3
2. Casey Slowiak, River Falls, Wis., 229-9
3. Caleb Ringkob, Eagan, Minn., 196-7
Boys- 12 year olds
1. Sepesitano Pupungatoa, River Falls, Wis., 272-10
2. Dalton Ferguson, Solon, Iowa, 267
3. Damarcus Zeroth, River Falls, Wis., 249
Boys- 13 year olds
1. Alex Call, Roberts, Wis., 330-9
2. Brad Freeborn, River Falls, Wis., 323-1
3. Kyle Gilbertson, Beldenville, Wis., 288-5