Williams, Warner are state champs
AUGUSTA – The Maine Elks Association have announced the winners of its annual State Soccer Shoot competition held at the Augusta Elks Lodge Oct. 17. Twenty three children, sponsored by eight different Elk lodges from throughout the state, competed to earn the right to advance to the regional competition in Portsmouth, N.H. held over the weekend. The Elks Soccer Shoot is a nationwide soccer shooting skills contest for children under the age of 14.
Contributed photo
SOCCER CHAMPIONS – Winners of the Maine Elks Association State Soccer Shooter were, in front from left, Andrew Truman (Augusta Elks), Emma Janousek (Sanford Elks), Abigail Worthley (Houlton Elks), Cameron Chase (Rumford Elks). Back, event director George Jones of the Augusta Elks Lodge, Sam Wilkinson (Augusta Elks), Brittany Warner (Presque Isle Elks), Taylor Williams (Presque Isle Elks), Darien Fraser (Augusta Elks) and MEA State President Roger Normandeau of the Sanford Elks Lodge.
The competition was broken down into two separate events based upon the competitor’s age. For children in the U-8 (under 8) and U-10 (9-10 year-olds), the event consisted of a five-goal contest, with goal size decreasing from 48 inches to 17 inches. Points were awarded based on the size of the goal. Each competitor received three shots at each goal, with the highest total score winning the contest. For children in the U-12 (11-12 year olds) and U-14 (13-14 year olds), a full-size gridded soccer goal is used. Points were awarded based upon which area the ball entered the goal.
The following winners earned the right to represent the state in the regional competition: U-8 Girls, Emma Janousek (Sanford Elks Lodge); U-8 Boys, Andrew Truman (Augusta Elks Lodge); U-10 Girls, Abigail Worthley (Houlton Elks Lodge); U-10 Boys, Cameron Chase (Rumford Elks Lodge); U-12 Girls, Brittany Warner (Presque Isle Elks Lodge); U-12 Boys, Sam Wilkinson (Augusta Elks Lodge); U-14 Girls, Taylor Williams (Presque Isle Elks Lodge); U-14 Boys, Darien Fraser (Augusta Elks Lodge).
The children participating in this competition were all winners of local and district soccer shoot contests sponsored by Elk lodges throughout the state. Each year, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks sponsors this nationwide contest as one of its many youth programs designed to give children an alternative to drugs, provide them with a positive experience and allow them to have fun.
