Footballs flew far and high under a blue sky Saturday at Wescott Field.

Monday, September 27, 1999

Footballs flew far and high under a blue sky Saturday at Wescott Field.

The event was the first leg of the NFL’s Punt, Pass & Kick competition – a nation-wide program that culminates with final competitions at the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games.

Attendance for Austin’s first NFL Punt, Pass & Kick wasn’t what Curt Rude had hoped.

At best, 50 kids showed up to pursue a shot at NFL glory. The NFL mailed Rude, the event organizer and an Austin Police officer, 150 certificates of participation.

Still, that didn’t dissuade Rude and Co. from proclaiming the event a success.

"I talked with all of the volunteers at the end," Rude said. "They were excited about giving it another shot next year."

Winners at Austin’s competition advanced to the Oct. 9 section competition in Mankato. Winners there will compete at the Metrodome during halftime of a Vikings game later in the season.

The winners:

8- and 9-year-old boys: 1. Nathan Justice, 2. Bradley Beckel, 3. Daniel Collier;

8-9 girls: 1. Michelle Grage, 2. Lauren Schwab;

10-11 boys: 1. Nicholas Stackenwalt, 2. Danny Kirby, 3. Zach Roberts;

10-11 girls: 1. Christena McFarland, 2. Mary Bissen, 3. Ashley Rude;

12-13 boys: 1. Tim Kirby, 2. Dylan Rude, 3. Connor Johnson;

12-13 girls: 1. Heidi Hemann, 2. Dabney Wickham;

14-15 boys: 1. Chris Stackenwalt, 2. Rick Riley, 3. Dustin Gall.