Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
GARLAND, Utah — Bridger Beus has been competing in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition for five years. The 15-year old freshman at Bear River High School never gave up on his dream to qualify for the national competition and his hard work is finally paying off.
Beus is one of four Utahns who have reached the 2013 finals that will take place on Saturday, January 12th.
"On a scale of 1 to 10? 11," Bridger said about how excited he is to reach nationals. "I'm way excited to go. I just can't believe it. It's crazy."
"He has tried many years and doesn't give up and he just keeps after it," says his father Paul Beus. "He's like ‘I've got to do this dad it's my last year'. I'm just proud that he's determined."
The competition has been a family affair for the Beus family. Bridger's older sister Kapri has reached the sectional finals in Denver and so has his younger sister Brynlee.
"They are just so kind to each other and cheer each other on. It's awesome," says his mother Terrie. "I'm as proud as a mom can be and I'm just so excited to go watch him."
The NFL has sponsored the Pass, Punt and Kick competition for years. Local and regional competitions are held around the state and Utah winners advance to the sectional competition in Denver. Only four contestants from each age group in the country reach nationals.
Bridger took 4th on Saturday in Atlanta. He was thrilled to represent Utah and will be rewarded with a chance to watch an NFL playoff game Sunday between the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.
"I don't care if I win or not I'm just excited that I get to go," Bridger says.
Several Utahns have reached nationals of the Punt, Pass and Kick competition in the past.
Tremonton's Tyson Madson competed last year in Baltimore. This year Bridger was joined by Kaylee C arlson of North Logan, Mason Falslev of Benson and Jalissa Briggs of Orem.
