Eighth-graders at Keith Valley Middle School will put on their game face as they participate in the annual Keith Valley Challenge — a 17-hour floor hockey marathon that students take part in to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Students are optimistic this year’s event will be a success as they hope to beat last year's accomplishment of $53,762 for the organization.        

The first puck will be dropped at 3 p.m. on Friday, which will start the 17-hour event. The 26 student-led teams of eighth-graders will continue to play during the overnight hours Friday until Saturday at 7 a.m. to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Throughout its 35-year history, the Keith Valley Challenge has raised $732,936 for various charities. The event began in 1977 when a Keith Valley student died of a rare congenital heart defect. In his memory, the administration, staff and eighth-grade students organized the hockey marathon that continues to this day.