A pair of young Vikings fans competed in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick National Finals Saturday in Seattle and attended the Seahawks win over the Carolina Panthers.
Alex Folz of Spring Grove, Minn., finished second in the Boys 14-15 division. Folz had a combined score of 373 feet, 5 inches. His best punt was 121-4, his top pass was 141-3 and his longest kick was 110-10. Folz won the Boys 12-13 division in Denver last year with a combined score of 463-11.
Samantha Ehlers from Elk Point, S.D., finished fourth in the Girls 8-9 division with a combined score of 177-1. Ehlers' punt of 72-2 was the best in her division, and she had a pass of 53-10 and a kick of 51-1.
Folz and Ehlers competed with three other finalists in their divisions as a total of 40 young people participated at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (Seahawks headquarters).
All participants had two attempts at each activity, and scores are based on distance and accuracy, with the best result counting toward the final tally.
The participants and their guests received airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the Carolina-Seattle game.
The competition is managed by USA Football, the sport's national governing body and the official youth development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams.
The NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition launched in 1961, and alumni include Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Dan Marino, as well as Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid.
NFL Punt, Pass & Kick is part of NFL Youth Football, which provides ways for children to play, watch and experience the game of football. For more information, visit **www.NFLPPK.com.** For other NFL PLAY 60 youth programs, visit **www.NFLRUSH.com**.
