BEST OF THE BEST: Football Skills Challenge Held

MARQUETTE---The highlight of day three for the U.P. All-Star football players Wednesday was the Skills Challenge.

Events included the Fastest Man (40 yard dash), the Strongest Man (Bench Press-225 lbs), Quarterback Challenge, Receiver Challenge, Punting and Field Goal Kicking.  Three players made the All-Time Record list for their efforts.  Tate Kay, Sault Ste Marie, punted the ball 67 yards, which placed him in a tie for 1st place all-time in that category.

Caden Pellizzer, West Iron County, threw the ball 57 yards, which was good enough to move into 3rd place all-time, and Logan Kruhlik, Ishpeming, also moved into 3rd place all-time with 22 repetitions in the bench press.

 

For some of the challenges, the players were split into two divisions, lineman and non-lineman.  Having two divisions gives those challenges a unique atmosphere, as there are several competitions taking place within each event.  The three events that are split are: Fastest Man, Strongest Man and Receiver Challenge.

 

Results for the Players Challenge are as follows:

 

Fastest Man (Lineman): Collin Broemer (Black Team), Gogebic, 40 yard dash = 4.81 seconds (elec timed)

 

Fastest Man (Non-Lineman): Brandon Christensen (Black Team), Newberry, 40 yard dash=4.54 seconds (elec timed)

 

Strongest Man (Lineman): Logan Kruhlik (Red Team), Ishpeming, Bench Press = 225 pounds, 22 reps (3rd All-Time)

 

Strongest Man (Non-Lineman): Tucker Taylor (Red Team), Gwinn, Bench Press = 225 lbs, 10 reps

 

Quarterback Challenge: Caden Pellizzer (Black Team), West Iron County, Distance Thrown = 57 yards (3rd All-Time)

 

Receiver Challenge (Non-Lineman): Nathan Olson (Red Team), Rapid River

 

Receiver Challenge (Lineman): Logan Kruhlik (Red Team), Ishpeming

 

Punting: Tate Kay (Black Team), Sault Ste Marie, 67 yards (1st All-Time)

 

Field Goal Kicking: Shawl Sandahl (Red Team), Menominee, 50 yards

 

The Skills Challenge gave the players a much-needed rest from the grind of two practices per day.  Each event which was performed had a gallery of players watching. Everyone was gathered around the competitors, cheering them on while they competed.

There were some friendly rivalries within each competition, but the atmosphere was casual and all the players enjoyed the events.  In addition to some local television and radio media in attendance, there were also some parents and fans that came by to watch the skills challenges. They were able to get on the field and take some pictures up close of their favorite players while they competed.  Both squads have the rest of the afternoon off to relax and let their bodies recover from the physical stress of practice.

 

The players will next travel to Bay Cliff Health Camp Thursday afternoon, and the All-Star Banquet is set for Friday at the University Center, 6 PM.