Whiz Kid: Fifth Grade Free Throw Phenom

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Mackenzie Lee DeWees
Age: 10 years old
School: 5th grade, Ebb Valley Elementary
Whiz Kid's Accomplishments: She is the Maryland/Delaware Elks Hoop Shoot State Freethrow Champion (3 years in a row).  On March 19, she will complete at Middletown High School for the West Virginia/Maryland/Delaware/Virginia/North Carolina Regional Championship.  If she wins, she will advance to the National Competition in Springfield, Massachusettes.

In the last three years: She has won the Local Competition in Westminster sponsored by Lodge 20 and the Westminster Elks Club (2009, 2010, 2011). She has won the District Competition in Frederick (2009, 2010, 2011). She has won the State Competition in Frederick for Maryland and Delaware (2009, 2010, 2011). She won the Regionals in Middletown (2009) and placed 2nd last year (2010) and is competing this year (2011). She placed 10th the Nation for 8/9 age group in at Springfield, Mass (2009)

In each competition, she shoots 25 freethrows with a silent audience and if there is a tie, they keep shooting 5 shots each until there is a winner.  She made 21-25 to win the age 10/11 state championship this year.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: The keys to my success are practice, confidence, and calmness.  I practice freethrows almost everyday with correct shooting form.  This makes my shot consistent and gives me confidence that I will make them during Elks contests and my basketball games.  I have learned how to stay calm if I miss a shot and how important it is to stay positive so I can make the next one if I miss.

I like this contest because I am learning how to shoot freethrows under pressure. It is important to make freethrows and if I miss them, then it could keep my team from winning.  I think I am good at this contest because I am very competitive and like to work hard to win contests.