Greenville Elks #1139 – Darke County Soccer Shoot

On May 15, 2010, the Greenville Elks #1139 hosted the annual Darke County Soccer Shoot at North Park behind Krogers in Greenville. In previous years attendance had dwindled down to as low as 25 total participants, however this year, the event flourished with a total of 88 children between the ages of 3 and 13 years old participating. All participants in attendance received a cup of orange drink, a hot dog and a participation ribbon simply for joining in the event.

The Elks established the Soccer Shoot program to enhance soccer skills in our youth. The competition encourages the development of shooting accuracy and sportsmanship. The competition was divided into 4 age groups: U-8 (7 years old and younger), U-10 (8 and 9), U-12 (10 and 11) and U-14 (12 and 13). The younger two age groups took turns shooting 3 shots at each goal from 15 and 18 feet away respectively, at goals that ranged from 48 inches down to 17 inches. The older age groups shot 15 balls at a regulation size goal that was sectioned off into a grid with 9 sections. The upper left and upper right corners were worth the most points with the center and bottom being worth the least. This helps the competitor to try and score goals in the upper and outer reaches of the goals.

The winners in each division were awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals. The 1st place boy and girl finishers from each division will advance to the district level competition. The district competition will be on Saturday, June 19 at 2pm. The top 3 finishers in each division were invited to an awards banquet, sponsored by the Greenville Elks, which was held on June 3rd at the Elks. These participants and their families were treated to a delicious pork loin dinner, complimented with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, dinner roll and a piece of cake.

Also invited to the banquet were the individuals in our community that excelled in the competition and advanced to the state competition in 2009. These participants had won the district level competition and earned the right to compete at state. At the state competition, they received a free night’s stay in a local hotel, a soccer ball, a complimentary lunch and a trophy. At the local awards banquet, each was presented with a special, framed certificate congratulating them on their outstanding accomplishment.

It is our pleasure to announce the winners of the 2010 Darke County Soccer Shoot:

U-8 Girls: 1st Place – Kendra Arnold, 2nd Place – McKenna Obringer, 3rd Place – Abby Sandlin
U-8 Boys: 1st Place – Ethan Watkins, 2nd Place – Ashton Shaffer, 3rd Place – Bradley Wynn

U-10 Girls: 1st Place – Gabriella DeVoss, 2nd Place – Sidnie Hunt, 3rd Place – Claire Haviza
U-10 Boys: 1st Place – Brayden Skinner, 2nd Place – Josua Eloff, 3rd Place – Addison Ernst

U-12 Girls: 1st Place – Maddie Sheppard, 2nd Place – Grace Coakley, 3rd Place – Katelyn Avore
U-12 Boys: 1st Place – Jack Garland, 2nd Place – Hunter Penkal, 3rd Place – Joseph Aulbauch

U-14 Girls: 1st Place – Hannah Coakley, 2nd Place – Hannah Rhoades, 3rd Place – Chelsea Stout
U-14 Boys: 1st Place – Cody Coppess, 2nd Place – Austin Violet, 3rd Place – Dylan Avore

Competing and placing at the state level contest in 2009:

Madison Kinner (U-8 girls), Christopher Hadden (U-8 boys), Gabriella DeVoss (U-10 girls), Hannah Bingham (U-12 girls), Hannah Rhoades (U-14 girls) and Jacob Scheppis (U-14 boys).