SOLON — With the varsity basketball seasons rushing headlong toward the postseason, the next generation of Spartans and Lady Spartans put their skills to the test in the Solon Optimist Club’s and Knights of Columbus’ annual basketball contests Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Solon Community Center.
For the Optimists, it was their Tri-Star basketball competition, a 50+ year tradition in the community for kids to dribble, shoot, and pass in an effort to win a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place plaque. In addition, the overall boy and girl winners received a certificate and $20 gift card to Scheel’s.
Karen McFarland-Miller, President of the Optimists Club of Solon, explained the Optimist Club of Solon is focused on the youth in the community.
“That is what all of the money we raise goes toward, it goes back to the kids in the community in various ways.”
The Solon club is unique in the scope of the Junior Optimists International (JOI) members across multiple grade levels in the Solon schools. “We have the Alpha Club at the Solon Intermediate School (SIS), we have the Junior Optimists at the Middle School, and we have the Octagon at the High School,” she said.
The club will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on the soccer field at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area Saturday, April 19 (the day before Easter).
Mark Roskopf, with the Solon Knights of Columbus Randall-Steinbrech Council 12129, said their Free Throw Contest is part of a nationwide event.
“We do it here at what we call our Council-level and then we go up to Districts, a State Tournament, and then in some cases, some may advance to Nationals.” Some Solonites have won at the State level in the past, Roskopf added. “We compete at each age group between 9-14 for boys and girls. We like to get the kids out and have them compete a little bit, have some fun, and it’s a nice thing to do in the winter time.”
Like the Optimists, funds raised by the Knights through various events throughout the year such as the annual Tootsie Roll drive, goes back to the community. “We help out where we can either with kids or the needy. In December, for example, the Knights made a donation to the Solon American Legion Auxiliary for veterans in need while money raised through the Tootsie Roll drive goes toward the Iowa Special Olympics and area non-profit organizations.
2025 Solon Optimist Club Tri-Star basketball winners
Boys 8-9 – 1st, Evan Volkert. 2nd, Mason Galpin. 3rd, Jack Weeks.
Overall Boys winner – Evan Volkert
Boys 10-11 – 1st, Dawson Ohloff. 2nd, Gavin Moeller. 3rd, Nico Olsem, Herb Tholen
Boys 12-13 – 1st, Elliot Daly
Girls 8-9 – 1st, Emma Sabers. 2nd, Daphne Clifford and Abagail Sabers. 3rd, Mae Daly and Avery Holtz.
Overall Girls winner – Emma Sabers
Girls 10-11 – 1st, Victoria Rolwes. 2nd, Addi Scheib
2025 Knights of Columbus free throw contest winners
Boys – Age 9, Jack Weeks. Age 10, Dawson Ohloff. Age 12, Elliot Daly.
Girls – Age 9, Emma Sabers. Age 10, Victoria Rolwes. Age 11, Addi Scheib