Rapid City,SD -- Having already tasted glory in local, district, and state competitions, Jamie Pickens captured another first-place finish on Saturday, March 7, when she wowed the crowds at the Elks "Hoop Shoot" Northwest Central Regional Championship. Jamie, the 8-year-old daughter of Mike and Lisa Pickens demonstrated an accuracy from the penalty line well beyond her years and brought honors to her hometown of Clancy, MT

Representing Helena Lodge No. 193, Jamie a student at Montana City School, sank 19 out of 25 free throws in the 8 to 9 - year-old Girls division, making her a true standout in the field of more than 3 million boys and girls, ages 8-13, who have participated in the contest since last fall. Now, Jamie will travel with her parents, courtesy of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to Springfield, Massachusetts to be among the 72 top youngsters vying for the chance to claim one of six national trophies awarded at the Elks "Hoop Shoot" National Free Throw Contest, April 23-26.

Junior Cycling Summit to meet at HHS

The first annual Helena Junior Cycling Summit presented by the Montana Velo Cycling Team will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at the Helena High School c afeteria from 7-8 p.m.

All students grades 5-12 and their parents interested in competitive and recreational mountain biking, road cycling and cyclocross are encouraged to attend.

The program is co-directed by Helena High School teacher Geoff Proctor, Helena Middle School teacher Dave Stergar, and Central Elementary School teacher Scott Herzig.

The meeting will start with an introduction of several Helena cycling dignitaries and ride leaders and proceed with an outline of 2009 programs. Paperwork, licensing information, and a schedule will also be discussed. Group rides will be held every Friday afternoon from 3:15-5:30 pm throughout the spring, starting April 17. The tentative plan is to continue these rides throughout the summer to culminate with the Montana middle and high school state mountain bike championships here in Helena on September 12.

Local rollers win big in City Tourney

The 2009 City Youth Bowling Tournament was conducted last weekend at Sleeping Giant Lanes. In the A Division, Yo Bow Lil Wo Boy won the team championship, scoring 2,739 pins. Teammembers include Alan Johnson, Brian Dahl, Josh Forbes and Ryan Collick. I Forgot (Philesha Dolan, Amy Beagles, Kyleen Dolan, Caitlyn Murphy) placed runner-up, while WMDs and Sunday Jrs Team Two tied for third.

Capturing the doubles title were the duo of Dahl and Johnson, who bowled a 1,380. Josh Sillick and Elijah Wynn placed second.

Jakota Platts fired a 721 series to garner the A singles crown, followed by Logan Gorsich with a 711, and Kendra Hertweck at 680.

The scratch all-events went to Josh Forbes and Erin Murphy, with Brian Dahl and Cailey Sobrepena earning the handicap all-events.

The B Division team title was won by Bella Luna, who knocked down 2,406 pins. The team is comprised of Kinsley McFerrin, Laynee Frost, Kaitlin Juvik and Miranda Trainer. B-Ks Squared took second.

Vance Peterson and Corte Lyons copped the doubles crown, rolling a 1,285. Finishing second were Brenden Haight and Charles Haight.

The singles championship was claimed by Peterson, who shot a 702. Lyons placed runner-up, while Eileen Bobinski came in third.

In the Bantam Division, the Panthers (Jerrod Gustovich, Caydann Cox, Tyler Thronson, Caylor Cox) earned the team crown. Gustovich and Caydann won the doubles event, and Rory Barkley captured the singles title.

There were two scratch 700s rolled in the tourney, by Jacob Brask with a 726, and Alan Johnson at 706.