St. Mary of Gostyn hosts 2025 Knights of Columbus free throw championship for kids

Boys and girls, age 9 to 14, are invited to participate in the 2025 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.

The local competition will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the St. Mary of Gostyn School gymnasium, 440 Prairie Ave. in Downers Grove. It is free and open to the public.

The winners progress through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut, based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.

All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 from Downers Grove and surrounding areas are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions. All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. For entry forms or additional information, visit stmarygostyn.org/freethrow.

Together Knights of Columbus Council 16062 and St. Mary of Gostyn athletics department are providing this fun, active, and philanthropic opportunity.

Participants shoot 15 free throws with winners moving onto the district championship level. Students also are invited to volunteer at the event, as philanthropic service is a focal pillar for both organizations. The event is free to attend.

A cash-only concessions stand will be on-site with proceeds benefiting the school’s athletics.

The St. Mary of Gostyn School athletic program philosophy is a strong belief that athletics are educationally sound and play an important part in the development of children’s physical, mental, emotional and moral growth. All student-athletes who desire to participate in sports are afforded the opportunity in a “no cut” system allowing for multiple teams when applicable. The basic principles of good sportsmanship and high ethical standards enhance the moral growth of the student participants.

Council 16062 in Downers Grove is one of 16,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.

To register, visit stmarygostyn.org/freethrow.