For the week of November 19 - 24, 2003

Hailey girl tops field in Punt, Pass and Kick

Might earn national berth

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By JODY ZARKOS
Express Staff Writer

Athletes like Kaitana Martinez are the reason "you throw like a girl" does not cut it as a cut down any longer.

Top Toss. K.T. Martinez in the passing contest at the NFL Regional Punt, Pass and Kick contest Sunday at Seahawk Stadium. She won her division.

The 9-year old Hailey girl won the 8-9 year old division at the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick contest at Seahawk Stadium Sunday.

"It was scary," Martinez said. "I was nervous."

No doubt.

The regional contest was staged during half time of the Seattle Seahawk—Detroit Lions football game.

"It was really loud," Martinez recalled.

Kaitana said she kind of flubbed her punt (participants are judged on distance and accuracy), but she nailed her toss.

"I was happy. I did the best I could on the throw," she said.

Kaitana’s pass of 70 feet, nine inches was the best in the nation by five feet.

Her father Ron remarked, "I think her ability to throw the ball comes from her older brother Juan. They play together and he can really toss it."

Martinez’s total score will now be compared to other regional winners. The top four scorers qualify for the national championships to be staged during a NFL playoff game in January. As of Tuesday, Kaitana was sitting in third place overall.

In the fourth grade at Hailey Elementary, Kaitana plays "every sport except for hockey and tennis."

"I play football, baseball, basketball, and wrestle," the modern-day baby Babe Didrickson.

"Basketball is my favorite, though."

She excels in every sport, however. As a seven-year old she made an unassisted triple play in coach-pitch baseball.

 

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