Boys and girls from 9 to 14 years of age are invited to participate in the local Knights of Columbus free throw championships.

The local competition will take place Jan. 31 at Mountain Meadow Elementary School, at the intersection of Mundy Loss Road and 120th Street East in Buckley. Registration begins at 11 a.m.

The free throw contest is sponsored annually, with local winners advancing to district and state competitions. The 2013 competition featured two state champions from this area.

The Knights of Columbus of Sacred Heart Parish and St. Aloysius Parish host the free event.

Registration forms are available in advance at the Enumclaw Parks and Recreation office, through school P.E. classes or at the parish offices in Enumclaw and Buckley. Registration also can be done the day of the event.

Contestants must provide proof of age – as of Jan. 1, 2015 – and will compete against youngsters of the same age and gender in six divisions – ages 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Each contestant will attempt 15 free throws, with a distance allowance made for age.

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic fraternal organization with nearly 1.7 million members in more than 12,000 local councils.