This years annual Springfield Elks Soccer Shoots in Springfield and Chester were a big success with two participants winning at the Vt. Elks state soccer shoot and competing at the Area 1 Soccer Shoot in Rhode Island recently. Area 1 soccer shoot consists of all the state winners from New England and upstate New York. Springfield Elks Soccer Shoot Chairman Victor Baskevich reported there was a record turnout of participants in the 150 applicants range between the two towns.
Local soccer shoot results are as follows; Under 8 Boys winners, 1st William Aviles of Spr., 2nd Abe Allen of Spr., U-8 Girls 1st Eliza Frank of Spr., 2nd Janey Whipple of Spr. U-10 Boys 1st Trace Kline of Ches., 2nd Matthew Studin of Ches. U-10 Girls 1st Harper Palmer Spr., 2nd Claire Gomez of Spr. U-12 Boys 1st Kaiden McCarthy Ches., 2nd Carter LaBarge of Chester. U-12 Girls 1st Alexis Boissonnault of Ches., 2nd Lily Parent of Ches.
All of the local winners competed at the Vt. Elks Soccer Shoot in St. Alban’s on Oct. 13th. The two participants from Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 who won in St. Albans represented their host Springfield Elks Lodge in Kingston, RI on Nov. 2nd at the Area 1 Soccer Shoot. Like their annual Hoop Shoot program the Elks hosted all the families for a weekend of fun for the kids with hotel stays, pizza parties, swimming plus a big banquet to end the weekend festivities.
The Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 membership would like to extend a hearty thank you to all the participants and their parents for allowing them to compete. Their standing Elks motto is “Elks Care Elks Share”. Chairman Baskevich hopes to break the 200 count of participants next year. The Elks would also like to thank Andy Bladyka and Matt McCarthy of the Springfield and Chester Recreation Departments for encouraging the participants to sign up for the shoots.
Caption: Shown L to r; Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 Exalted Ruler Jim Morse, U-12 Boys winner Carter LaBarge of Chester, U-10 Girls winner Harper Palmer of Springfield and Elks Soccer Shoot Chairman Victor Baskevich the day before the winners and the Chairman went to Kingston, RI for the Area 1 Elks Soccer Shoot.
News item submitted by Michael Gunn.