MONROE - Many people dream of the chance to throw a football at Lambeau Field, but Courtney Leuzinger may actually do it.
The Monroe sixth-grader will attend Sunday's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers and take part in the annual Punt, Pass and Kick demonstration.
She and other winners from across the state will run onto the field shortly before the game begins at noon and all will have their faces shown on the large stadium screen.
Leuzinger, who enjoys soccer, basketball and softball, entered the competition in Monroe this year and took first place at the local level. She then traveled to Janesville and finished first there. That gave her the opportunity to take part in the contest in Green Bay.
Logan Weckerly, a classmate of Leuzinger's, competed in the event a couple of years ago and was so successful, he was able to compete in New Orleans during a playoff game.
Weckerly has spent some time over the past few days helping Leuzinger with her passing skills and giving her some advice.
It's hard to determine how much coaching she needs, however. She's able to throw the ball and kick the ball 66 feet and punt it about 89 feet, her dad Curt said.
She was way ahead of the second-place finisher in Monroe, he said proudly.
Still, Weckerly can help her with the pre-contest jitters.
"I was nervous," he said of his own experience in Green Bay two years ago.
Leuzinger admitted she is, too.
It's not surprising. For all the top finishers, who are between the ages of 8 and 15, the event is filled with excitement and the knowledge they will compete against other winners across the state. There is also the fact they could step out onto the field in front of thousands of cheering fans to show off their abilities.
If she takes first place in Green Bay, Leuzinger will attend a national competition at the National Football Conference playoff game next year.
The Monroe sixth-grader will attend Sunday's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers and take part in the annual Punt, Pass and Kick demonstration.
She and other winners from across the state will run onto the field shortly before the game begins at noon and all will have their faces shown on the large stadium screen.
Leuzinger, who enjoys soccer, basketball and softball, entered the competition in Monroe this year and took first place at the local level. She then traveled to Janesville and finished first there. That gave her the opportunity to take part in the contest in Green Bay.
Logan Weckerly, a classmate of Leuzinger's, competed in the event a couple of years ago and was so successful, he was able to compete in New Orleans during a playoff game.
Weckerly has spent some time over the past few days helping Leuzinger with her passing skills and giving her some advice.
It's hard to determine how much coaching she needs, however. She's able to throw the ball and kick the ball 66 feet and punt it about 89 feet, her dad Curt said.
She was way ahead of the second-place finisher in Monroe, he said proudly.
Still, Weckerly can help her with the pre-contest jitters.
"I was nervous," he said of his own experience in Green Bay two years ago.
Leuzinger admitted she is, too.
It's not surprising. For all the top finishers, who are between the ages of 8 and 15, the event is filled with excitement and the knowledge they will compete against other winners across the state. There is also the fact they could step out onto the field in front of thousands of cheering fans to show off their abilities.
If she takes first place in Green Bay, Leuzinger will attend a national competition at the National Football Conference playoff game next year.