Neyland Jezik, an 11-year-old Benton Elementary student, represented Marshall County Elks Lodge No. 2707 at the 2019 National Elks Hoop Finals in Chicago on April 27. Neyland earned the trip to nationals by taking first in the local, district, state and regional hoop shoot competitions.
Neyland finished 12th in the nation in the 10-11 age division in Chicago, competing against kids from across the US. While there, the competitors and their families attended a Chicago White Sox game, Elks Fan Zone and Awards Banquet that featured keynote speaker Kendall Coyne Schofield, an Olympic Gold Medalist member of the USA Women’ Hockey Team.
Neyland is the son of Tommy and Jennifer Jezik of Benton.