USE THUMBNAIL OF COLE FROM ATTACHED PHOTO

Lehighton’s Cole Dietz finished fourth in the nation in the 10-11 year old boys division of the Elks Hoop Shoot.

Dietz, who was representing the Tamaqua Elks Lodge, and had won local, district, state and regional championships to advance to nationals which were held Saturday in Chicago.

Competing against 11 other regional winners from across the United States, Dietz hit 22 of 25 free throws, just one less than winner Camden Cowgill of Texas.

Cowgill and Mason Arthur of Indiana both made 23 of 25. Cowgill eventually won the national championship in overtime, going 5-for-5 in the extra period while Arthur was 4-for-5.

Dietz and Chukwuebuka Okorie New Hampshire both made 22 of their initial 25 shots to tie for third place. Okorie and Dietz then went through six overtime periods (five shots in each OT) until Okorie eventually earned third place.

The competition was held at Gentile Arena on the Loyola University campus.

During their three days in Chicago, Dietz and his family were treated to multiple activities by the Elks, including a banquet for all national finalist ine ach age group. The guest speaker at the banquet was WNBA star Tamika Catchings