One Greene County Middle School student is on the cusp of competing on the national stage.

Fifth grader Samantha Pedersen is the Iowa champion in the 10-11 year old girls division of the Elks Hoop Shoot Contest and is competing today for a chance to go to the national finals. Pedersen last participated in the Elks Hoop Shoot Contest two years ago. The Elks Hoop Shoot Contest is where kids in four age and gender divisions see who can shoot the most free throws out of 25. She was the local, district and state champion so far and has advanced to today’s regional contest.

Pedersen talks about her favorite part about competing in the Elks Hoop Shoot Contest. 

“I really like meeting people, like meeting new people. And if  I ever run into them like maybe on a trip or something then I can be like, ‘Hey, what’s up?’” 

Pedersen is heading to Iowa City for the North Central Region 3 contest and if she wins, Pedersen will advance to the National Elks Hoop Shoot Contest for a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship and her name on the marque of the NBA Hall of Fame.