Is the next Randall Cunningham growing up in Austin?.

Sunday, September 18, 1999

Is the next Randall Cunningham growing up in Austin?

How about a future Dan Marino? Or maybe a challenger to Drew Bledsoe?

Those quarterbacks may not have any roots in Austin or Minnesota for that matter, but all three NFL All-Pros competed in the NFL’s Punt Pass and Kick competition, which will be going on at Wescott Field Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. rain or shine.

The event is open to boys and girls ages 8 through 15. Boys and girls will divided into two separate groups and later grouped by age; 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15.

There is no fee and all participants will receive an official certificate. No cleats will be allowed.

Passes, punting and place kicking will be judged on accuracy and distance.

The top five in each group will receive a ribbon and move on to the sectional competition in Mankato in October. The top competitor in each group from Mankato will receive a medal and advance to the state finals, which will be held at the Metrodome, during a Minnesota Vikings game in November or December. The top competitor from the Dome will advance to the national competition, which will be held during a playoff game.

By the way, if you don’t think people take this seriously, consider this. While there are thousands of regional qualifiers throughout the country, reportedly around 300 in Minnesota alone, the event is not in every city. Curt Rude, the organizer for the Austin event, has already had a phone call from a mother living south of Des Moines, asking if she could bring her son to compete in Austin.

Participants must have a valid birth certificate and a parental waiver. Waivers may be picked up at Games People Play, the Austin YMCA and Play it Again Sports. Waivers will also be available at Wescott Field the day of the competition.

Rude and other volunteers from the area helping with the event will be wearing jerseys from their favorite NFL stars. Be sure to look for Rude in a Broncos No. 7 Elway jersey.

Competitors are allowed to compete at one regional event.

The annual event is sponsored by the NFL, Gatorade and Franklin.

Over 2,000,000 boys and girls participated in the Punt Pass and Kick competition across the United States last year.

For more information call Rude at 437-8874.

. . . A fund-raiser for popular bowler Robert "Boomer" Scott will be held Sept. 26, at Echo Lanes.

The three-game, 9 pin, no tap bowling is $10 per person with a flighted payout one of five. The bowling begins 1 p.m.

All proceeds will benefit Scott to help defray huge medical costs.

Many local businesses have donated gifts and each "real" strike on colored pin wins a prize.

Echo Lanes is located at 1600 10th Dr. SE, Austin. For more information, call 507-437-8241.

. . . Former Austin High athlete Theresa Lang was named one of 10 finalists for the 1999 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Lang, a graduate of North Dakota State University, was named as a state winner earlier this month. The winner will be honored at an awards dinner Oct. 24 in Indianapolis.

. . . Riverland sophomore Jamie Rosheim, a graduate of Glenville-Emmons, ranks among the leaders in several volleyball categories in the Minnesota Community College Conference South Division. Through 26 games Rosheim is fifth in attack percentage (.235), second in kills (61), and fourth in aces.

Breanna Seira, a sophomore out of Pacelli, is fourth in assists per game (4.7), tied for second in digs (2.35) and sixth in aces (13).

Melissa Bemis is tied for second in digs (2.35) and tied for fourth in blocks (22).

Shanna Dagestad is fifth in digs (55) and seventh in aces (11).

Sophomore Krissa Anderly, a Waseca grad, is ninth in aces (9).