Two Pella Christian middle school students became State Champions on Saturday as part of The Elks National Hoop Shoot Contest. Amaia Agre, Pella Christian 6th grader, won the 12-13 year old girls division by making 22 of 25 free throws, and Deacon Branderhorst, Pella Christian 7th grader, won the 12-13 year old boys division by making 24 of 25 free throws. Both of these students needed to win three contests in order to qualify for the State Finals on Saturday. First, Pella Christian Grade School students competed in a school contest with the winners advancing to the Local Contest at Oskaloosa High School on Saturday, January 4. The winners of the Local Contest advanced to the District event at Evans Middle School in Ottumwa on Saturday, February 1. The winners from that event advanced to the 50th Annual State Finals Event at Grinnell College on Saturday, February 22.

Amaia Agre
School Contest – 17/25 – 1st Place
Local Contest – 21/25 – 1st Place
District Finals – 18/25 – 1st Place
State Finals – 22/25 – 1st Place

Deacon Branderhorst
School Contest – 23/25 – 1st Place
Local Contest – 21/25 – 1st Place
District Finals – 22/25 – 1st Place
State Finals – 24/25 – 1st Place

Amaia and Deacon both qualified for the National Regional Event on Saturday, March 21, 2020. They will compete against the State Champions from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.