Youth Free Throw Championship at Bedell Family YMCA

Sunday, January 5, 2025 – 1PM

All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2025 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The local contest will be held Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Bedell Family YMCA in Spirit Lake. Registration and practice begin at 12 noon. And age levels have been extended to include 9-year-olds.

Registration forms are available at area middle schools and at the Bedell Family YMCA and must be signed by a parent. There is no fee to register, and children of all faiths are welcome to enjoy positive and healthy competition with other youth in the Iowa Great Lakes community. Forms are also available the day of the championship, or by texting to

712-330-8892, or by email to jeds778@gmail.com.

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually by Paul Katzfey with EXIT Realty Midwest, with winners progressing through local, district, regional and state competitions. Spirit Lake’s own Claire Kruger won the international crystal trophy in the 2024 competition, making 24 of 25 free throws.

All boys and girls 9 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions. In past years more than 130,000 sharpshooters participated in more than 3,000 local competitions.

Each competitor receives a participation certificate, with winners taking home a plaque in the local championship, or trophy in the district championship. The highest-scoring state winner receives the International Championship Crystal Trophy.