Knight of Columbus free throwers take aim

Winners at the Delhi-LaSalette Knights of Columbus Council 5095 Free Throw Championships in Delhi on Jan. 21 were, from left, (front row) Sienna Vilaca, Andreas Pryce, Macy Allin, (back row) Mason Bonaccorso, Oliver Deconinck, Owen Gaertner, Avery Tunks, Ayda Robyn, Avery Millen, and Logan Pardy.

Chris Abbott

Editor

Students competing in the annual Delhi-LaSalette Knights of Columbus Council 5095 Free Throw Championships in Delhi took the first step on Jan. 21.

Ten winners, ages 9-13, from Delhi Public School, Saint Frances Cabrini School, and Teeterville Public School qualified to compete at the Knights of Columbus district championship, on March 1, at Holy Trinity School in Simcoe. Registration starts at 12 p.m. and they are expected to start competing about 1 p.m.

First-place winners from the district event advance to regionals in London later in March.

Co-organizer Dan Verhoeve from the Delhi-LaSalette Knights of Columbus thanked St. Frances for hosting the event, and thanked all of the schools for participating, including students and teachers, as well as the volunteers.

“They are very helpful here at St. Frances, the principal, the secretary, the teachers, amazing people,” said Verhoeve.

Delhi Public School won this year’s overall team championship.

“We have a decent amount of good shooters,” said Delhi Public School’s Logan Pardy, who won the 13-year-old boys division sinking eight of 15 shots.

“I’ve been working hard this year,” said Pardy, who had 11 successful free throws to qualify from his school.

“Today was a rough day for me because when I was practicing today I was feeling some anxiety. Just the event, kind of nervous.”

A winter storm blew through the area earlier in the day, but did not delay the free throw competition.

“We’ve been doing this for about 17 years now, and twice it was cancelled,” said Verhoeve.

“It was a good day today,” said co-organizer Peter Bacro. “A day that ends well is a good day,” he smiled.

2026 Delhi KofC local winners

• Andrew Pryce, 9-year-old boys, Delhi Public School

• Macy Allin, 9-year-old girls, Delhi Public School

• Owen Gaertner, 10-year-old boys, Saint Frances Cabrini School

• Sienna Vilaca, 10-year-old girls, Teeterville Public School

• Oliver Deconinck, 11-year-old boys, Saint Frances Cabrini School

• Avery Millen, 11-year-old girls, Delhi Public School

• Mason Bonaccorso, 12-year-old boys, Saint Frances Cabrini School

• Ayda Robyn, 12-year-old girls, Saint Frances Cabrini School

• Logan Pardy, 13-year-old boys, Delhi Public School

• Avery Tunks, 13-year-old girls, Delhi Public School