Ronan athletes place in Seattle’s punt, pass, kick event

Young Montana athletes attended the Seattle Seahawks football game Sunday, Nov. 29, to receive their awards for the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick competition, held one day prior. Kadynce Couture, 9, placed second in her age group while Elizabeth Bluemel, 13, placed third. Both young ladies are from Ronan.

The first place winner, 15-year-old Hamilton resident Calla Haldorson, nearly doubled the score of her nearest competitor while earning the top spot for the second year in a row. Her 123-feet, 1-inch punt (41 yards) set a new state record, besting the old record by more than 2 feet. Her mark made her eligible to compete in the PPK National Finals to take place in January, but she must await the results of the other 31 NFL teams’ events, and place in the top four of her respective age group to advance.

Four other youths from St. Regis, Hamilton, Butte and Plains competed at the Seattle event; two of those also placed in the top three. All the Montana youngsters competing in Seattle had to win not only their respective local PPK and the western Montana sectional event, held Oct. 11 in Missoula, but also be in the top four of the 11 other sectional age-group winners in the Seahawks & rsquo; region, which includes all of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.