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Boltz prepares for third trip to Hoop Shoot national finals
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| Lakyn Boltz practices her free throws in preparation for the national finals of the Elks Hoop Shoot held in Springfield, Mass., April 26. |
By Brad Cameron/Gate City Sports Editor
Lakyn Boltz has become a familiar face at the national finals of the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest.
Boltz is making her third consecutive trip to the national finals held in Springfield, Mass. She took home a trophy and had her name inscribed on a plaque at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame two years ago by winning the girls 8-9 age division. Last year she returned in the girls 10-11 age division and finished sixth.
This year, Boltz has her sights set on winning another national title.
“Last year was more about going back and enjoying it,” said Kevin Boltz, Lakyn's father. “We were happy to be back, and we wanted to see her name in the Hall of Fame.
“We were content last year. This year, we're going back to prove the first year wasn't a fluke. That she can be a national champion again. Last year was relaxation, happy to be here. This year is about going back and winning.”
Seeing her named on a plaque in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame made last year's trip worthwhile.
“I have good days and bad days when it comes to shooting free throws, and last year when I went there I had a bad day because I didn't do very well,” Lakyn said. “Oh, well. It was still cool being there. I got to see my name in the Basketball Hall of Fame, which is something a lot of people can't say.”
Just qualifying for the tournament in back-to-back years is quite an achievement. Boltz is one of seven among the 72 contestants who competed in last year's national finals and one of just two who are making their third consecutive appearance this year.
“You'll see kids who maybe go back once, but it is a rare accomplishment to go back in consecutive years,” Kevin said.
Boltz is one of three national champions in this year's event. Kaden King of Central Valley, Utah, won the boys 10-11 age division in 2006, and Maggie Goltz of Falls City, Neb., won the girls 8-9 age division in 2007.
Boltz knows she will have her work cut out for her. Five of the girls in her age division have competed in the national finals before. Katie McWilliams of Salem, Ore., has competed against Boltz the last three years, and Goltz moves up to the 10-11 age division.
Boltz, however, enters the finals confident. That is due to the time she has put in daily at the free throw line. You can usually find her in Wright Fieldhouse after school shooting anywhere from 100 to 150 free throws.
“When I'm making a lot and doing good in practice I feel like I'm ready to go up there and win,” Lakyn said. “I'm hoping to make 23, 24 or 25. I think I can make 24 because that's what I've been making here. I've been making anywhere from 23 to 25, so I think I can go up there and make 24 or 25.”
Those numbers may be good enough to win. Madison Walford, Melinda Trimmer and Hannah Lempitsky each won their region titles by making 22 of 25 free throws. Boltz and Goltz each made 21 free throws to advance.
“The competition is going to be tough, but I think she's ready,” Kevin said.
There is an extra incentive if Boltz would win The Getty Powell Award, an award that goes to the highest scoring girl and boy overall. The winner also gets to go to the Elks National Convention, held this year in Anaheim, Calif.
“We would get to go to Disneyland,” Lakyn said.
The Boltz family flies to Massachusetts Wednesday and will tour Boston on Thursday, something Lakyn is looking forward to.
“In school in social studies we've been talking about the Boston Massacre and stuff like that,” Lakyn said. “I want to see the Boston Massacre spot and the Paul Revere House and the aquarium. That will be kind of cool. We're going to go to the Old North Church, and Logan (Lakyn's brother) wants to see some things too.”
Friday, Lakyn will spend the first part of the day preparing for the contest. The banquet and the chance to visit the Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will be Friday night, and the competition begins Saturday, April 26.
The Boltz family also will have the opportunity to catch up with former University of Iowa and current University of New Mexico Head Coach Steve Alford and his family. Bryce Alford qualified this year in the boys 12-13 age division.
“Right after Lakyn won the national championship two years ago, we got to meet the Alfords because their son Bryce had shot at state the same time she did,” Kevin said. “We kind of became friends through that. This year Bryce won the regional in Texas, so the Alford family will be out there. We've already exchanged phone calls and e-mails. They're excited about going back and excited about seeing us again. That's another plus for the experience, to go back and see them because we did get to be fairly good friends through this.
“That's what this has been about, kids making friends through the hoop shoot and seeing a lot of people and meeting a lot of people. Now that she's won and has gone back again and is going back again, I'm sure there are going to be people who have worked the hoop shoot who will be just as excited to see her as we will be to see them.”
A good luck send off party for Lakyn will be held Saturday at the Elks Club. Start time is 6:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.
“We have people traveling from Des Moines, Kansas City, Davenport, Burlington and Bloomington, Ill., to come to the party,” Lakyn said. “It should be fun.”
The Boltz family would like to thank Denny Davis, Randy Davis and the rest of the members of the Elks Club.
Boltz is making her third consecutive trip to the national finals held in Springfield, Mass. She took home a trophy and had her name inscribed on a plaque at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame two years ago by winning the girls 8-9 age division. Last year she returned in the girls 10-11 age division and finished sixth.
This year, Boltz has her sights set on winning another national title.
“Last year was more about going back and enjoying it,” said Kevin Boltz, Lakyn's father. “We were happy to be back, and we wanted to see her name in the Hall of Fame.
“We were content last year. This year, we're going back to prove the first year wasn't a fluke. That she can be a national champion again. Last year was relaxation, happy to be here. This year is about going back and winning.”
Seeing her named on a plaque in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame made last year's trip worthwhile.
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Just qualifying for the tournament in back-to-back years is quite an achievement. Boltz is one of seven among the 72 contestants who competed in last year's national finals and one of just two who are making their third consecutive appearance this year.
“You'll see kids who maybe go back once, but it is a rare accomplishment to go back in consecutive years,” Kevin said.
Boltz is one of three national champions in this year's event. Kaden King of Central Valley, Utah, won the boys 10-11 age division in 2006, and Maggie Goltz of Falls City, Neb., won the girls 8-9 age division in 2007.
Boltz knows she will have her work cut out for her. Five of the girls in her age division have competed in the national finals before. Katie McWilliams of Salem, Ore., has competed against Boltz the last three years, and Goltz moves up to the 10-11 age division.
Boltz, however, enters the finals confident. That is due to the time she has put in daily at the free throw line. You can usually find her in Wright Fieldhouse after school shooting anywhere from 100 to 150 free throws.
“When I'm making a lot and doing good in practice I feel like I'm ready to go up there and win,” Lakyn said. “I'm hoping to make 23, 24 or 25. I think I can make 24 because that's what I've been making here. I've been making anywhere from 23 to 25, so I think I can go up there and make 24 or 25.”
Those numbers may be good enough to win. Madison Walford, Melinda Trimmer and Hannah Lempitsky each won their region titles by making 22 of 25 free throws. Boltz and Goltz each made 21 free throws to advance.
“The competition is going to be tough, but I think she's ready,” Kevin said.
There is an extra incentive if Boltz would win The Getty Powell Award, an award that goes to the highest scoring girl and boy overall. The winner also gets to go to the Elks National Convention, held this year in Anaheim, Calif.
“We would get to go to Disneyland,” Lakyn said.
The Boltz family flies to Massachusetts Wednesday and will tour Boston on Thursday, something Lakyn is looking forward to.
“In school in social studies we've been talking about the Boston Massacre and stuff like that,” Lakyn said. “I want to see the Boston Massacre spot and the Paul Revere House and the aquarium. That will be kind of cool. We're going to go to the Old North Church, and Logan (Lakyn's brother) wants to see some things too.”
Friday, Lakyn will spend the first part of the day preparing for the contest. The banquet and the chance to visit the Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will be Friday night, and the competition begins Saturday, April 26.
The Boltz family also will have the opportunity to catch up with former University of Iowa and current University of New Mexico Head Coach Steve Alford and his family. Bryce Alford qualified this year in the boys 12-13 age division.
“Right after Lakyn won the national championship two years ago, we got to meet the Alfords because their son Bryce had shot at state the same time she did,” Kevin said. “We kind of became friends through that. This year Bryce won the regional in Texas, so the Alford family will be out there. We've already exchanged phone calls and e-mails. They're excited about going back and excited about seeing us again. That's another plus for the experience, to go back and see them because we did get to be fairly good friends through this.
“That's what this has been about, kids making friends through the hoop shoot and seeing a lot of people and meeting a lot of people. Now that she's won and has gone back again and is going back again, I'm sure there are going to be people who have worked the hoop shoot who will be just as excited to see her as we will be to see them.”
A good luck send off party for Lakyn will be held Saturday at the Elks Club. Start time is 6:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.
“We have people traveling from Des Moines, Kansas City, Davenport, Burlington and Bloomington, Ill., to come to the party,” Lakyn said. “It should be fun.”
The Boltz family would like to thank Denny Davis, Randy Davis and the rest of the members of the Elks Club.
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