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Winners
Bryce Espinosa, left, and his brother TJ Espinosa won district Elks Free Throw Shooting Competition. Courtesy photo.


PUTNAM — Putnam residents – and brothers – Bryce and TJ Espinosa won the district Elks Free Throw Shooting Competition Jan. 7 in Groton, putting them into the state finals Jan. 14 in Manchester.
TJ, the defending state champion, made 22-of-25 free throws to claim the crown in the 12-13-year-old division. The seventh grader at Putnam Middle School won the local competition a few weeks back by sinking 24-of-25 shots.
Bryce meanwhile, competed in the 10-11-year-old division and went 21-for-25 to win the district title. He won the local competition by going 20-of-25.
Should either win the state championship, they would advance to regionals, featuring other state champs from New England, in March. The national championship is held after that in Chicago. TJ Espinosa finished second last year at regionals.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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