Optimists ran their own "March Madness" for 14 kids this Saturday morning. Duane Borgen was in charge and had help from Tom Nall, Bob Stephens, Diana Trendt, Gordon Gimski, Maxine Lane, Gary & Eileen Engelke, Wayne Wodarz, Steve Yunck, Charlie Clark, Shelly Sandry, Kevin Hanson and John Urness.

Prior to the contest, we had a registration/scoring table set up where kids and parents could sign up for the contest. Here are Optimists Diana Trendt, Maxine Lane and Eileen Engelke going over the scores.

We started at 9:00 AM and had the kids do 3 different skills tests, passing, dribbling and shooting. Here is our MC, Charlie Clark, getting ready to give instructions to the contestants.

Here are photos of our contestants listening to the instructions with Optimists Wayne Wodarz and Gordon Gimski listening.

The passing station has the contestant make 3 chest passes and 3 bounce passes into a circle on the wall. Each contestant gets one practice throw for each type of pass. The younger contestants pass from a closer line than the older ones. Here is one of the contestants making a pass with Gordon Gimski and Wayne Wodarz as judges. Optimists Tom Nall, Duane Borgen and John Urness are in the background.

The dribbling station is a set of cones and the contestant weaves in and out around the cones while dribbling a basketball. The faster you complete the course, the better the score. Here is one contestant negotiating the course with Kevin Hanson and Gary Engelke judging.

The shooting skills station has each contestant make 4 Free Throw shots and 2 other shots from outside the "key". The contestant receives points for each basket made. The younger contestants are in front of the regulation free throw line for their shots. Here is a contestant making a shot with Optimist judges Shelly Sandry (back to camera), Steve Yunck and Bob Stephens looking on.

Everyone who competes receives a Certificate of Participation signed by the President of the Optimist Club, Tom Nall.

The first place boy and girl in each age group receives a trophy and the opportunity to compete in the District competition in Mukwonago on March 20th. The second place boy and girl may compete in Mukwonago if the first place winner cannot attend. Here is a photo of the trophies for the First Place winners.

Here are the 1st Place winners with their trophies. In front from left to right are: Ethan Bernhardt, Lucas Johnson, Chase Bellmeyer, and Jenna Johnson.
In back from left to right are: Maranda McCarthy, Vince Momot, Mitchell Hefty, Rachel Emendorfer, Cassie Hamer, and Kaycie Wagner.

Please send comments, questions and suggestions about the web page to Howard Crofoot at crofooth@platteville.org
Last Modified: March 28, 2009