Rose Creek’s Curtis Wilson is a shy little guy.

Tuesday, April 04, 2000

Rose Creek’s Curtis Wilson is a shy little guy.

I met the son of Edward and Mary Wilson for a moment a while back and he didn’t have much to say.

His mother says he’s not much of a talker. But he’s a heck of an act-er.

In Iowa City on Saturday, Wilson captured the 12- and 13-year-old boys division of the North Central Region Championship of the Elks National Free Throw Contest – better known as the Elks National Hoop Shoot, an event that draws some three million children into its fray.

Wilson sank 25-of-25 free throws at the regional to advance to the final round in Springfield, Mass. on April 28-30.

The whole Wilson family will attend the event, a fitting entourage considering Wilson hones his basketball skills while practicing with his cousins, his dad and brother, and Uncle Danny, too.

In Springfield – home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Wilson will compete against 11 other regional champs who were whittled from the continental 48 states.

Wilson has told his mother he doesn’t want to finish last. So far, all he’s done is finish first.

Wilson’s run started weeks ago at Austin High, where he sank 24-of-25 in the local Elks Hoop Shoot, advancing across the street to Pacelli.

There, he hit 23-of-25 in the district competition, advancing to state in Hutchinson, where he sank to 21-of-25.

The four-miss afternoon was good enough to advance Wilson to Iowa City, where he was perfect against state champs from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin.

Wilson had to be perfect. Before finishing off his free throws, he watched as the Iowa champ drained 24-of-25.

After his ideal afternoon, officials were saying Wilson had ice running in his veins.

He earned something called a Schroeder Award for his unblemished shooting. His next honor may be a national championship.

Winners of the six age categories will be invited to address the Elks at their national convention in Dallas.

For the shy Wilson, that would likely be the toughest test of all.

Because for Wilson, whose free throw acumen is better than most NBA players, the free throws come easily – falling like drips from a leaky faucet into the drain.

n The Austin baseball team opens its season this afternoon at 5 p.m. with a home tilt against Winona.

n Wrestling at 140 pounds, Mike Cunningham decisioned Dusty Spaulding of Emporia, Kansas, 11-9, at the Minnesota vs. USA Dream Team wrestling match at Apple Valley on Saturday.

Spaulding is a three-time state champ.

Cunningham’s win was one of four Minnesota victories in a 32-18 USA win. The home team lost four matches against the USA’s prep all-stars by a one-point margin.

On Thursday, Cunningham was named Austin High’s Outstanding Wrestler and Most Valuable Wrestler at the team’s annual banquet.

Other honorees:

– Hardest Worker: Spencer Wolner

– Newcomer of the Year: David Carroll

– Most Exciting: Joe Cunningham

– Most Improved: Wolner

– Academic Achievement: Jim Knoebel

– Coaches’ Appreciation: Brian Heimer

– Courage Award: Derek Hyland

– Offseason Captains: Chad Mentel and Matt Adwell

– Honorary Captain: Jerry Adwell

– Sponsor Award: Andy Fuhrman and Godfather’s Pizza.

Brady Slater’s column appears Tuesdays