Schools

Gunther Girl Becomes National Finalist in NFL Program

Lauren Guitriago, 7, of the Gunther School came in fourth in the national championship of the NFL's Punt, Pass and Kick Program.

After winning the Team Championship of the National Football League's Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) Program in December, Lauren Guitriago came in fourth in the program's national championship in Baltimore on Saturday.

"It feels really good," the Jacob Gunther Elementary School second grader said.

Her physical education teacher, Jim Mulvey, said he is very proud.

"She worked really hard and she is the first child to go this far in the whole North Bellmore School District," he said.

The Punt, Pass and Kick Program is a national skills competition for boys and girls between the ages of six and 15 to compete separately against their peers. Established in 1961, the program is the oldest NFL youth football program. Each participant is allowed one punt, one pass and one placekick as part of his or her competition. Scores are based on both distance and accuracy.

Schools have the option to start a local competition of the program which can lead participants to the national finals. Mulvey has ran the local competition for 10 years.

Guitriago said she will always remember the experience. She and her mother were flown to Baltimore by the NFL and she got watch a Baltimore Ravens game at the M&T Bank Stadium.

"We stayed in a nice hotel and we watched the game," she beamed. "It was really fun."


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