L.F. Smith third-grader Jan Lara holds his trophy for finishing first in his age group in the Texans' Punt, Pass & Kick team championships.
Lara In Contention For Spot In The National Finals
Two Pasadena ISD students -- L.F. Smith Elementary's Jan Lara and Melillo Middle School's Edwin Saldivar -- won the Houston Texans' Punt, Pass & Kick championships in competition held Sunday at the Texans' game at Reliant Stadium.
Lara, a third-grader who competes in the 8-9 year-old division, stands in strong contention to qualify for the national finals. Lara posted a total score of 206 feet, 0 inches. He punted 57-7, passed 66-4 and kicked 82-1.
His score of 206-0 ranks first among six other results posted so far by other NFL teams.
Twenty-six NFL clubs have yet to hold their competitions. Only the top four finishers in each age group qualify for the national finals
Saldivar, competing in the 10-11 division, won with distances of 82-8 in punting, 52-2 in passing and 80-0 in kicking. His total score of 214-10 was good enough to win the Texans' team title but it does not rank among the top four national scores already posted.
Youngsters who qualify, along with one parent or guardian, will travel to the site of an NFL playoff game in January for the finals.
Edwin Saldivar, the Texans' 10-11 winner, with faculty and
supporters at Melillo: Troy Ralls, Joey Pena, Kelly Rogers
and Stephanie Herring.
