Snyder earns second place at regional soccer shoot
Ari Snyder is pictured with her parents Barb and Jake Snyder. Ari, who is wearing her Elks Soccer Shoot jacket, competed at the regional competition in Maryland where she placed second. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Eight-year-old Ari Snyder kicked her way to the regional level of the Elks Soccer Shoot and a second place finish in her age group.
The Mid Atlantic Elks Soccer Shoot was held March 2-4 in Frederick, Md. where Snyder competed with children from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland/Delaware/Washington DC , and Ohio.
“I was kind of nervous,” said Snyder, who is in the second grade at Coshocton Elementary School.
Her mom Barb didn’t think she looked nervous at all and her score showed it.
Ari’s dad Jake said she had to kick three balls into five goals of different sizes, with each having a different point total. Total points that could be earned were 45 and Ari recorded 42.
“We are pretty proud of her,” Barb said.
Ari’s journey in the Elks Soccer Shoot started with the local event at Lake Park.
“This is my second time doing it,” she said. “I play soccer and thought I could do well at it.”
After winning at Lake Park, she moved on to districts in New Philadelphia and then the state event at Kids America. Last year her journey stopped at state, but this year she qualified for regionals, where she also earned her spot in Elks Soccer Shoot history. Team Ohio won the all point trophy for having the highest combined total of points. Their 290 points is the most ever at the Mid Atlantic Elks Soccer Shoot.
“The Elks paid for two nights in the hotel, gave the kids a pizza party and pool party and there was a banquet,” Barb said. “It was a nice weekend.”
Ari appreciated the Elks putting on the event.
“They do a good job,” she said. “It probably takes a lot of work.”
Getting to the regional level of the soccer shoot also took a lot of work for Ari.
“She worked really hard practicing with her dad,” Barb said.
Ari has been playing soccer since she was 3 and said she learned the game from her dad.
