State Soccer Shoot Chair
Kevin Garrison, PDDGER
Wooster #1346
2024 State Soccer Shoot Results
I am happy to report that all 10 of our shooters were able to attend. They were:
Violet Van Dresser U-8 girl from Norwalk Lodge #730 – placed 4th in her age group in York
Brantley Barnett, U-8 boy from Coshocton Lodge # 376 – placed 6th in his age group in York
Sayla Gancarz, U-10 girl from Salem Lodge # 305 – placed 2nd in her age group in York
Noah Gancarz, U-10 boy from Salem Lodge # 305 – placed 3rd in his age group in York
Makenna Banta, U-12 girl from Upper Sandusky Lodge # 83 – placed 5th in her age group in York
Lincoln Kuhn, U-12 boy from Findlay Lodge # 75 – placed 1st in his age group in York and Lincoln also won honors for the highest score for U10 – U16 boys in the entire region.
Javyn Gress, U-14 girl from Newcomerstown Lodge # 1555 – placed 1st in her age group in York
Aiden Deem, U-14 boy from Upper Salem Lodge # 305 – placed 3rd in his age group in York
Alexis Warner, U-16 girl from Conneaut Lodge # 256 – placed 3rd in her age group in York
Aiden Davis, U-16 boy from Salem Lodge # 305 – placed 3rd in his age group in York
A great time was had by everyone, new friendships were made, and most importantly, every had a GREAT time. We competed against 5 other state associations; Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, DC., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Ohio placed in 2nd place overall. The weekend started with a pizza party and DJ hosted by York Pa. Lodge # 213 with the actual shoot on Saturday morning. The banquet and awards program highlighted Saturday evening with everyone enjoying the fellowship of the evening and the honoring of the winners.
Looking ahead, our 2025 state shoot will be held on November 8, 2025, and the regional shoot will be held in March 2026. Details on those shoots will be posted as they become available.
The Ohio Elks Association, through its lodges across the State host action filled soccer shoot competitions for kids up through U14.
Soccer is one of the fastest growing youth activities in the country. The Elks Soccer Shoot Program is geared to coincide with this sport phenomenon. From toddlers to teens, in our large urban centers to our small suburban settings, soccer is becoming the sport of choice for our youth. This program is the kind of sporting event to help keep our youth focused and away from undesirable activities.
The Elks Soccer Shoot program consists of two different contests that test different level skills at different ages. A "Five Goal Contest" consists of a series of five goals, decreasing in size from 48 inches to 17 inches. The age group that uses the goals in this contest are U-8 for ages 7 years old and younger. The contest is open to boys and girls who shoot separately. The U-8 contestants kick from 15 feet from the face of the goal.
The Grid Goal Contest consists of a full-size goal sectioned off so points can be scored when the ball is kicked into certain sections. The age groups that use this goal are U-10, for ages eight and nine, U-12, for ages ten and eleven, and U-14, for ages twelve and thirteen. The contest is open to both boys and girls and they shoot separately.
Winners at each contest are eligible to advance to the next level of competition. The levels are Local Lodge, District, State, and Region. Winners at the Regional level will have their scores sent to the national level to determine a National Champion in each of the age and gender groups.
The Elks Soccer Shoot Program is a terrific program for our youth, the future of our country. See if this program is available in your area by contacting the local lodge near you.