Local Knights of Columbus host youth free-throw contest

Thirty-six youths ages 9 through 14 competed Sunday at Northeast Dubois Intermediate School in the local round of the Knights of Columbus annual free-throw competition. Hosted by Good Shepherd of the Hills Knights of Columbus Council #13623, serving St. Isidore Catholic Parish in Celestine and Dubois, the event selected local champions who will advance to the district round in Jasper on Saturday, February 21.

The Knights of Columbus youth free-throw program is the first step in a nationwide series that moves from local contests to district, regional and state levels. For families and local organizers, the contest provides a straightforward platform for kids to develop sportsmanship, concentration and community ties while using school facilities after hours. It also showcases how faith-based volunteer groups and schools partner to create low-cost youth programming accessible to a broad cross-section of the county.

Local winners by age and division from the Jan. 11 competition are as follows: Age 9 Boy winner Noah Freyburger with runner-up Wyatt Harris; no entrant for age 9 Girl; Age 10 Boy winner Harrison Betz with runner-up Griffen Goller, and Age 10 Girl winner Sadie Hall; Age 11 Boy winner Ruger Freyburger with runner-up Kamden Hagen, and Age 11 Girl winner Elsie Busick with runner-up Emma Grothouse; Age 12 Boy winner Callan Case with runner-up Liam Terwiske, and Age 12 Girl winner Amelia Grothouse; Age 13 Boy winner Jack Lampert with runner-up Jeric Fischer, and Age 13 Girl winner Alexis Reckelhoff; Age 14 Boy winner Hudson Gogel with runner-up Logan Reckelhoff, and Age 14 Girl winner Marcie Denu with runner-up Carlie Beck.

Beyond trophies and advancement, the competition has practical implications for local civic life. Volunteer-run events like this sustain extracurricular opportunities without expanding municipal budgets, but they depend on steady volunteer labor, school cooperation and community donations. For Northeast Dubois and the St. Isidore parish community, the event demonstrates a continuing appetite for youth programming that links athletics, service organizations and parish life.

For winners headed to Jasper, competition intensifies at the district level, and successful participants could progress to regional and then state rounds. For parents and local leaders, the contest is also a reminder that small, recurring events build social capital and give kids a visible way to contribute to community life.

The takeaway? Support the volunteers and schools that make these hometown opportunities possible, and plan to cheer on local competitors in Jasper on Feb. 21—our two cents, bring a gym shoe and a loud voice.