Justin Jefferson places third in national contest

St. Rose Elementary’s Leann Bunch swept out the competition, takes first in state division

St. Rose Elementary School made a sweep in the 2008-09 NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick state championship.

Fourth grader Justin Jefferson won the state’s 8- and 9-year-old group competition with an overall measurement of 244 feet and 11 inches in the three football skill areas.

Third grader Leann Bunch also placed first in the girls division in the state with an overall score of 116 feet.

Jefferson went on to compete in the national championship on Jan. 10 in North Carolina where he placed third in his age group out of 3.5 million kids from across the United States.

Jefferson advanced to the national finals by placing first in the local, sectional and team championship competitions that were held throughout the NFL’s regular season.

He was the only person from Louisiana to compete this year in the National Championship Competition in any age group.

Jefferson had an overall score of 168 feet 9 inches in his three areas of football at that contest.