75 Join Football Frenzy

When it comes to football, 15-year-old Kyle A. Degener of Rancho Palos Verdes has all the tools--a strong throwing arm and a powerful kicking leg.

The same can also be said for 11-year-old Andrew Baslow of Northridge, 10-year-old Art Aragon of Mission Hills and 8-year-old Kevin Christopherson of Sunland.

They were the winners in their respective age categories in Football Frenzy, a kick, pass and punt skills competition held Sunday at the Hansen Dam Sports Center in Lake View Terrace.

The competition attracted 75 youths from 7 through 15 years old, said Naomi Cooper, corporate marketing manager at Pacific Bell, which co-sponsored the first-ever event with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

“Even if you’re not a good passer, punter or kicker, you can still come out and have a good time,” Cooper said.

Those who needed help with their football skills received tips from former UCLA football players Matt Stevens, Tom Whitenight and John Winnek.

Among the young athletes who didn’t need any help was Kyle. He compiled a combined distance of 406 feet on his kick, pass and punt to take first place in the 13-, 14- and 15-year-old division.

Andrew won the 11- and 12-year-old division with a combined total of 231 feet, 9 inches, and Art totaled 227 feet, 7 inches to win the 9- and 10-year-old division. Kevin compiled 161 feet, 6 inches to win the 7- and 8-year-old division.

Each received a pair of tickets to the Nov. 21 UCLA-USC football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

On Sunday, another four winners will be chosen at a Football Frenzy competition at Rancho Cienega Sports Center in Los Angeles, Cooper said.

Before the UCLA-USC game, the winners from the two events will compete against each other. The winner in each age group will receive a UCLA football jersey and a signed football from Bruin quarterback Cade McNown, Cooper said.