Worthley advances to regionals in Elks soccer shoot

    The Maine Elks Association announced the winners from its annual state Soccer Shoot competition held at the Augusta Elks Lodge on Oc. 17.
 Twenty-three children, sponsored by eight different Elk Lodges from across the state competed to earn the right to advance to the regional competition to be held in November in Portsmouth, N.H.
    The Elks Soccer Shoot is a nationwide soccer shooting skills contest for children under the age of 14.
    The competition was broken down into two separate events based upon the competitor’s age.     For children in the under 8 and under 10, the event consisted of a five-goal contest, with goal size decreasing from 48 inches to 17 inches.
Contributed photograph
WINNERS — Abigail Worthley, front, third from left, of Houlton will advance with the other age winners to the regional competition of the Elks soccer shoot in November.
    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 11-12 year old category and 13-14 year old division, a full size gridded soccer goal is used.
    Points were awarded based upon which area the ball entered the goal.
    The following winners have earned the right to represent the state in the regional competition:
U-8, girls, Emma Janousek Sanford; U-8, boys, Andrew Truman, Augusta; U-10, girls, Abigail Worthley, Houlton; U-10, boys, Cameron Chase, Rumford; U-12, girls, Brittany Warner,  Presque Isle; U-12, boys, Sam Wilkinson, Augusta; U-14, girls, Taylor Williams Presque Isle; U-14, boys, Darien Fraser, Augusta.
    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.
    For more information on the Maine Elks Association, or the Elks, visit www.maineelks.org or visit your local Elks lodge.