Day 3 All-Star Players Skills Challenge
MARQUETTE, MI – The highlight of day 3 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), Quarterback Challenge, Receiver Challenge, Punting and Field Goal Kicking.
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: Brett Gervais, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 40 yard dash = 4.662 seconds (electronic timed)
Fastest Man (Lineman): Tylor Frederick, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 40 yard dash=4.910 seconds (elec. timed)
Strongest Man: Justin Snell, Forest Park, Bench Press = 225 pounds, 17 repetitions
Strongest Man (Lineman): Kyle Michaelson, Negaunee, Bench Press = 225 pounds, 13 repetitions
Quarterback Challenge: David Fowell, Engadine, Distance Thrown = 55 yards
Receiver Challenge: Austin St. Louis, St. Ignace
Receiver Challenge (Lineman): Cody Rye, Ironwood & Jon Boever-Baraga
Punting: Blake Joseph, Forest Park, 64 yards (NEW ALL-STAR RECORD)
Field Goal Kicking: Brad Macario (Negaunee), 50 yards (2nd PLACE ALL-STAR RECORD)
The Skills Challenge gave the players a much-needed rest from the grind of two practices per day. Each event that was performed had a gallery of players watching. Everyone was gathered around the competitors, cheering them on while they competed. The players took the rest of the day off to recover, before resuming practice on Thursday morning.
While the players were having their Skills Challenge, the coaches were having a friendly competition of their own. Normally, they would be on the links golfing, but due to the weather, all of the coaches were sent to Superior Lanes for a few games of bowling. The East coaches won the challenge and are as follows: Josh Rader-Pickford, Dan Rye-Pickford, Jeff Olson-Ishpeming, John Tiziani-Ishpeming, Fred Bryant-Newberry, Joe Noha-Menominee and Jamie Schomer-Menominee.
The players will next travel to Bay Cliff Health Camp Thursday afternoon. The All-Star Banquet is set for Friday at the University Center, 6PM. Lastly, the Underclassmen Combine will take place on Saturday morning at 9AM, before the All-Star Game.