Optimists ran their own "March Madness" for 19 kids this Saturday morning. Duane Borgen was in charge and had help from Tracy Ball, Maxine Lane, Tom Nall, Virg Pufahl, Jerry Schewe, Bob Stephens, Angela Udelhofen, Diane Van Natta and Wayne Wodarz.

Prior to the contest, we had a registration/scoring table set up where kids and parents could sign up for the contest. Diane and Tracy registered the participants.

We started at 9:00 AM and had the kids do 3 different skills tests, passing, dribbling and shooting. Here is our President, Jerry Schewe, welcoming the group and giving instructions to the contestants.

Here is a photo of all 19 contestants.

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 Tom Nall and Wayne Wodarz (back to camera) as judges.

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 are contestants negotiating the course with Maxine Lane and Virg Pufahl in the background to the left 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 Bob Stephens and Angela Udelhofen looking on. Angela's son is assisting also.

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

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 April 9th. The second place boy and girl may compete in Mukwonago if the first place winner cannot attend.

Here are the 1st Place winners with their trophies. In front from left to right are: Skye Digman, Gabriel Tashner, Connor Riley, Anica Graney and Tyler Jones.
In back from left to right are: Lane Kamps, Garret Heer, Maranda McCarthy, and Rachel Emendorfer.

Please send comments, questions and suggestions about the web page to Howard Crofoot at info@PLATTEVILLEOPTIMIST.ORG
Last Modified: March 5, 2011