HUMBOLDT — Skylar Hottenstein has turned her competitive zeal into some impressive hardware on the hardwood.
Skylar, 8, took home first place Feb. 4 at the Kansas Elks Hoop Shoot competition in Wichita.
By winning state — she already had won the local competition hosted by the Iola Elks lodge and a district competition in Chanute — young Hottenstein advances to a regional event March 11 in Denver.
If she wins in Denver, Sklar will advance to the national finals later this spring in Chicago.
“Her goal was Chicago from the start,” her father, Rick said.
Even better, Skylar’s performance seems to be heating up as the competition grows more intense.
After struggling somewhat at the district level in Chanute, her numbers improved markedly at the state competition. Skylar drilled 17 of 25 free throws to win in Wichita.
“Now, we’re starting to practice,” her father said. “The other night, she hit 20 of 25 free throws. We figure it’ll take at least that to go on to Chicago.”
Skylar’s mother, Andrea, attributes her daughter’s competitiveness to backyard athletic endeavors with two older siblings.
“She’s always been pretty competitive,” Andrea said.
“She’s a good athlete,” Rick added.
But her strongest suit may be her unflappable nature.
While other youngsters tended to show frustration and panic after missing a free throw or two, Skylar’s demeanor changed not a lick, even during one rough stretch at state.
“She missed three in a row, and you could never tell by looking at her,” Rick said.
“It’s fun and exciting,” Skylar said. “I like competing.”
Skylar will compete against state winners from Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.
She is a third-grader at Humboldt Elementary School.
SHARP SHOOTER: Third-grader takes home state free throw shooting crown
