A near-record number of young area athletes didn’t let the rain and cold keep them from participating in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick local event Sunday afternoon.
In all, 103 athletes took part in the event at a soggy Bulldog Memorial Stadium. The Kiwanis Club of Butte hosted the competition with a big assist from student volunteers from the Montana Tech football program and Circle K Club, plus the Butte High Key Club.
The previous record for participation was 106.
Kodye Kjersten, Cayde Stajcar, Ethan Sweet, Kooper Klobucar, Blake Drakos, Kaelyn Saari, Taylor Sayers and Hannah Morin-Ferguson won their respective age groups and will represent Butte in the Western Montana Sectional competition, which will be conducted next Sunday in Missoula. Winners of that competition are eligible for the NFL Team Championship in Seattle, and ultimately, for the Punt, Pass & Kick National Championship in January.
Results Sunday’s action are listed below the photo gallery.
BOYS
6-7
1. Kodye Kjersten, 105 feet, 4 inches
2. Gunnar O’Brien, 90-6
3. Brandt Nelson, 84-6
8-9
1. Cayde Stajcar, 164 feet, 9 inches
2, Kendel Noctor, 135-0
3, Gunner Bushman, 134-2
10-11
1, Ethan Sweet, 203 feet, 5 inhces
2, Jeremiah Saari, 186-5
3, Adien Cuchine, 173-10
12-13
1, Kooper Klobucar, 292 feet, 5 inches
2, Trenton Harrison, 231-4
3, Ethan McGillan, 223-10
14-15
1, Blake Drakos, 283 feet, 1 inch
GIRLS
6-7
No participants
8-9
1, Kaelyn Saari, 86 feet, 2 inches
2, Emma Johnson, 70-8
3, Kristen Nelson, 67-10
10-11
1, Taylor Sayers, 166 feet, 3 inches
2, Taylor Drakos, 123-2
3, Alice Stajcar, 105-8
12-13
1, Hannah Morin-Ferguson, 171 feet, 9 inches
2, Mya Stenson, 169-10
14-15
No participants
