Free throw champs crowned

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Dylan Bernhardt, 14, launches a free throw during the Knights of Columbus free throw competition at St. Aloysius, Jackson.

JACKSON - Seven boys and girls from Jackson and Howell, ages 10 to 14, were named local champions of the 2007 Knights of Colum-bus Free Throw Cham-pionship and have earned the right to compete at the regional level.

The Howell-Jackson Council No. 6201 sponsored the local competition at the St. Aloysius gym on Jan. 20. All youngsters ages 10 to 14 were eligible to participate.

Salvatore Bivona was named the winner of the 10-year-old boys division.

In the 11-year-olds bracket, Samantha Stazko was the girls champion and Anthony Lozito, who shot a perfect 15 for 15, was the boys champion.

Twelve-year-old winners in the girls and boys divisions were Stephanie Bivona and William Berg.

The 13-year-old boys division was won by Andrew Babin.

The 14-year-old champion was Dylan Berhardt.

Each contestant was allowed 15 free throw attempts in the contest.

Each of these winners will now compete in the regional competition to be held on Feb. 24 at Holy Family in Lakewood with an eye toward moving on to the state and international levels.

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with nearly 1.7 million members in more than 12,500 local councils. Last year, Knights donated 60 million volunteer hours and $130 million to charitable and benevolent causes, sponsoring projects to benefit their church, councils, communities, families and youth, according to a press release.