CHICAGO — Caralina Mebius, granddaughter of Mike and Terri Mebius of Wessington Springs, capped another outstanding season by finishing second nationally in the 10-11-year-old girls division at the 2026 Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals, held April 18 at WinTrust Arena in Chicago.
Representing Brookings Elks Lodge No. 1490 and the state of South Dakota, Mebius made 20 of 25 free throws, then connected on 4 of 5 shots in a tiebreaker to secure the national runner-up finish. Ainsley Weaver of Chillicothe, Ohio, claimed the national championship by making 23 of 25 free throws.
The appearance marked Mebius' second consecutive trip to the national finals. In 2025, she placed third in the 8-9-year-old girls division after making 23 of 25 free throws.
Mebius earned her return trip to Chicago by winning the Brookings Elks Lodge local competition, repeating as South Dakota state champion in Pierre and advancing through the regional finals in Rapid City.
The Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals bring together the nation's top youth free-throw shooters, with each division champion earning recognition in the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.