Tabor family competes in Punt, Pass & Kick contest for 6th time

TABOR — For the Kortans, competing on a big stage has become an annual event.

Chase, Jaden and Bailey Kortan have participated in the National Football League’s Punt, Pass & Kick competition for the last six years.

The Kortans, of Tabor, competed in the sectional competition, which consists of participants from South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, at halftime of the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game Sunday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

“As a family, this was our sixth trip up to Minneapolis with the kids,” said Gary Kortan, the family’s father. “It’s kind of been a nice family tradition.”

Chase, who competed in the 14- to 15-year-old boys division, and Bailey, who competed in the 12- to 13-year-old girls division, finished in second place.

Jaden, who competed in the 6- and 7-year-old girls division, took fourth place.

“It’s kind of scary, but I get really excited for it,” said Jaden Kortan, 7, about competing at the Metrodome.

In order to advance to a national level, a participant must be among the top four in the country in his or her age division. Each NFL team holds its own competition.

The three siblings qualified for the section competition in South Dakota regional competitions Oct. 20 in Elk Point.

The Kortans became involved with the Punt, Pass & Kick competitions through Mick Patzlaff, a physical education teacher at Bon Homme School.

Patzlaff has taught in the district for 13 years and the Punt, Pass & Kick unit was implemented in the curriculum around 10 years ago.

“The (Kortan) kids love pretty much any physical activity and love to compete,” Patzlaff said. “I know they’re fellow classmates make a point to watch the Vikings game to watch them compete.”

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