Jenna Goodrich, an active soccer and softball player in the Plantation Athletic League, placed fourth in the national competition in the girls' 10 and 11-year-old division, securing a spot for her to compete at the NFC Championship Game in January. Goodrich will represent the Miami Dolphins Football organization. The top four participants from each division qualify for the national finals.

Goodrich participated in the Regional Finals at Dolphin Stadium on Nov. 16, when the host Dolphins played the Oakland Raiders. She came in first place with a total score of 240 feet, 10 inches. All first-place winners were recognized at halftime for their achievement and were awarded a plaque in front of approximately 65,000 fans.

"I was very excited to participate in front of my family and all who watched at the stadium," Goodrich said. "The competition came natural to me and it's a great accomplishment that will stay with me forever."

Goodrich punted the Football 86 feet, threw a pass that traveled 74 feet, seven inches and kicked a Football 80 feet, three inches.

"We were not really surprised," said Jenna's mother, PJ Goodrich. "She is a natural athlete and only needed to practice once. She was not nervous and just did whatever she was capable of doing."

It was at Bokamper's Sports Bar and Grill, where Goodrich found out she qualified to compete at the NFC Championship Game. She was surprised when former Miami Dolphins linebacker Kim Bokamper broke the news and congratulated her.

"He came up to me and asked for my autograph," Goodrich chuckled.

Born in Plantation, Goodrich has lived in Davie the last 10 years. She attends Indian Ridge Middle School and plays for the girl's basketball team.

Goodrich played two seasons of flag Football starting at age five. She currently plays in the PAL recreational soccer league in the 10 and 11-year-old division. Jenna's mother, PJ, serves as her daughter's coach and has coached soccer in Davie for three years and now in Plantation the last three years.

Besides playing flag Football and recreational soccer, Goodrich also toes the rubber as a pitcher for the 12-under Plantation Pressure travel softball team. The Pressure, coached by Jenna's father Phil Goodrich, has had outstanding success. The Pressure last season won the Mother's Day Tournament in May and Palm Beach Gardens Tournament last June.

Goodrich also has other hobbies outside of sports. She has been a member of the school band for one year and plays the clarinet. Goodrich played in the school's recent Winter Holiday Concert. She is a frequent churchgoer and volunteers taking care of infants and young children on Saturday evenings. She also takes advanced classes in school and is a strong math student.

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Goodrich's birthday is Jan. 10. An all-expense trip with her family follows. She noted the support of her sister and two brothers, as well as grandfather, who attends the majority of her games. Not a bad start to the New Year in what has been an extraordinary few months.

"The entire NFL PPK experience has been amazing and she has been an inspiration for me," said PJ Goodrich. "Jenna has been a Dolphins fan since she was very little and is especially pumped to know she will be representing her favorite Dolphins player Chad Pennington in the competition."

Goodrich has had a lot of fun along the way.

"I will continue to try hard," Goodrich said. "It's amazing how well I'm doing." {ZONE} PF