Winslow to compete against New England’s top kickers
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Though he hasn’t been playing soccer long, Cole Winslow’s practice has paid off.
Winslow, 8, son of Kevin and Julie Winslow of Houlton will compete in the Elks Soccer Shoot Area 1 Regional Soccer Shoot Nov. 6-7 in Vermont, sponsored by the St. Albans Vermont Lodge No.1566. There will be competitors from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.
“I’m excited,” said Winslow, “and nervous.”
The Elks Soccer Shoot has different divisions and Winslow will be competing in the 8-9 year old boys’ category.
At the end of the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department’s peewee soccer program, Marie Carmichael, activities coordinator, handed out papers on the Elks Soccer Shoot.
“I wanted to see how it worked,” said Winslow. “So, I thought I should do it.”
Winslow competes in the “Five Goal Contest,” which is a series of five goals, decreasing in size from 48 inches to 17 inches. The first goal is worth one point and as the goal gets smaller, the points go up coinciding with each round until the participant is shooting for five points. The under 10 participants kick from 18 feet away.
To get ready for the contest, Winslow’s father constructed a 17-inch goal out of pipes and he began practicing.
“This is my first year,” Winslow said. “I thought I would [do all right] on the [local] shoot, but I didn’t know I was going to win this much.”
Winslow’s younger brother Austin and older sister Olivia are also excited about his win.
“Austin thinks it’s fun because he has to stay at someone’s house,” said Winslow. “Olivia thinks it’s fun because she likes to go to the places.”
The Elks have been sponsoring the soccer shoot for a few years in the area, and Winslow said it’s a good program.
“There’s a lot of good sportsmanship,” he said. “And, fun. We get to [meet] new people and see new things.”
The family is being treated by the Elks Club to an all-expense paid trip to Vermont.
So, how does it feel to win?
“It’s pretty fun,” said Winslow.
