Youngsters get kick out of soccer shoot

Five local families competed in the District Elks Soccer Shoot Sept. 29 with one advancing to the state soccer shoot today in Great Bend.
Olivia Carney took home first place in her age division in the district competition in Winfield and advances to today’s state soccer shoot in Great Bend.
Carney was joined by local winners A.J. Holding, Hunter Zimbelman, Caiden Cloud and Anthony Rodriguez at the district competition.
The students qualified for district by winning a local competition in Iola Sept. 23.
“I am so proud of these kids,” Christina Ramirez, exalted ruler for Iola Elks, said. “I was expecting them to go to district and give it their best shot, but I really didn’t think they would all rank so high. We have some really talented kids.”
The competition consists of a series of contests, such as aiming for smaller goals or at different grids of a regulation-sized soccer goal.
Holding, Zimbelman, Cloud and Rodriguez each earned second place in their respective competitions.
If Carney wins today at state, she would advance to a regional competition including youth from Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado.
Ramirez said the Elks’ soccer and hoop shoot programs are great avenues for kids — even those who may not be otherwise skilled in athletics.
“It gives kids a chance to excel individually instead of relying on factors they have no control over,” Ramirez said. “Every child makes the team, gets to shoot and gets their opportunity to shine.”