Two other Merrill students take 2nd and 3rd place at State in 12-year-old division
BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Knights of Columbus held their annual Punt Pass & Kick competition at Jay Stadium on Sept. 22, 2023, open to children ages 8 to 12. The competition was divided by age and gender, with the child who took first place in each division advancing on to the Sectional District competition in New Richmond, Wis.
Competitors who placed first in that competition then go on to the State Championship in De Pere to compete against the winners of the other Sectional District competitions.
Merrill made a strong showing at the State Championship this year, with several kids placing in the top three and one bringing home the first place State Championship in his division.
11-year-old boys
Taylor Timm, 11-year-old son of Heather Ohlmann and Paul Timm, both of Merrill, took first place in the 11-year-old boys division at Jay Stadium in Sept. That advanced him to the Oct. 14 Sectional District competition in New Richmond on Oct. 14 where he also took first place in that division and punched Taylor’s ticket, moving him through to the State Championship competition in De Pere. The State Championship 2023 Knights of Columbus Punt Pass & Kick competition was held on Oct. 28 at East De Pere High School in De Pere, and Taylor competed with nine other 11-year-old boys. Taylor emerged the victor in that competition and brought the first place State Championship trophy home to Merrill.
12-year-old boys
Andrew Josiger, 12-year-old son of Craig and Nicole Josiger of Merrill, took first place in his division at the Sept. 22 event at Jay Stadium and advanced to the Sectional District competition in New Richmond where he also took first place, advancing him to the State competition. In DePere, Andrew fell just short of the State Championship but did Merrill proud with a second place finish.
12-year-old girls
Makaylynn Roehl, 12-year-old daughter of Amanda and Doug Roehl of Irma, took first place in the 12-year-old girl division of the Punt Pass & Kick competition on Sept. 22. She then also advanced to the Oct. 14 Sectional District competition in New Richmond where she also took first place and then advanced to the State competition in DePere. Makaylynn represented Merrill girls well in DePere, finishing in third place in her division at the State Championship level.
All three of the kids did a great job representing Merrill at every stage of the competition.