The Knights of Columbus District 71 held the annual local-level Free Throw Competition Saturday at St. John Neumann Regional School, Palmerton. The Knights hold free throw competitions all around the country on the local level.

Four students, Zachary Nace, Jack Walck, McKenna Freeby and Aubrey Reabold, won medals at the competition in Palmerton and will advance to the regional level.

The Northeast Region Free Throw Championship will be held on Feb. 28, at Bethlehem Catholic High School.

The winners from the regional competitions advance to the state competition to be held on March 14 in Mechanicsburg, then to the national level.

“This is an opportunity to get the kids out moving, and have a fun time,” explained Jordan Cook, the district deputy of District 71 of the Knights of Columbus. “Boys and girls ages 9 to 14, Catholic or non-Catholic, they are welcome to attend.”

The Knights of Columbus District 71 includes Lafayette Council 2522, Palmerton; Damien Council 598, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton; along with representatives from different councils including Tamaqua, Summit Hill and Walnutport,

“Out of Northeastern Pennsylvania, we’ve had several national winners over the past few years,” Cook said.

The Knights of Columbus have been sponsoring Free Throw Competitions since 1972, “to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition,” as their website states.

“The whole event here is organized by Aaron Sebelin, who is one of the officers here at Lafayette Council 2522 in Palmerton,” Cook added. “He always does a great job with it.”

Students who competed in Palmerton were Aubrey Reabold, Kaydee Alvarado, McKenna Freeby, Zachary Nace, Cole Hablett, Kade Houser and Jack Walck.