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Tama Co. Young Guns 4-H Club competes in 2022 State Shooting Sports Competition

Feisel, Keller place first

Members of Tama County Young Guns 4-H Club pictured at Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports State Shooting Competition in Searsboro on Aug. 27 including (l-r) Wyatt Feisel, Lauren Keller, Wyatt Silhanek, Roy Silhanek (coach), Titus Vinson, Ryan Keller (coach), Zach Vinson, Carly Smith, Luke Vinson, and Daniel Vinson. PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNY HULME

One hundred thirty-seven youth from 23 counties participated in the Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports State Shooting Competition on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Brownells Big Springs Shooting Range in Searsboro.

Iowa 4-H members competed at the state level in six disciplines: air rifle, shotgun, smallbore rifle, muzzleloader, archery, and wildlife. Sponsors for the event included Brownells and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

Each discipline’s four top-scoring individuals will be contacted and invited to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska, set for June 25-30, 2023. Participants can only attend a National Shooting Sports Championship Invitational once for each discipline and can only compete in one discipline per year. 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports programs are taught under the guidance of certified, knowledgeable and caring instructors.

A youth participating at the State Shoot expressed appreciation for the event partners. “Coming to Brownells Big Springs Shooting Range is a big deal – it’s huge, and the new canopies over the range bays were great to keep the sun off the shooters. Thanks, Brownells, for hosting us,” the participant said.

Eight Tama County Young Gun members competed this year coming away with a great experience. In the Junior Air Rifle Division Wyatt Feisel placed first and Daniel Vinson placed fourth. In the Intermediate Air Rifle Division Luke Vinson placed third. In the Senior Air Rifle division Zachary Vinson placed fifth and Titus Vinson placed seventh. In the Junior Smallbore Wyatt Feisel placed eighth, Carlee Smith placed 15th and Daniel Vison placed 17th. In the Intermediate Smallbore division Luke Vinson placed eighth. In the Senior Smallbore division Lauren Keller placed first, Zachary Vinson placed fifth, Wyatt Silhanek placed ninth and Titus Vinson placed 12th. Lauren Keller placed fifth in the Senior Muzzleloader and Wyatt Silhanek placed second in senior archery (recurve bow).

Like all 4-H programs, 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports is focused on positive youth development and teaching life skills. Iowa 4-H Program Director Debbie Nistler said, “Education is the foundational priority in shooting sports, to allow young people to explore their interests and passions, to promote positive relationships with peers and adults, and to engage youth in a well-rounded 4-H experience. Competition is an activity that is highly visible and beneficial to helping youth set goals and strive for excellence.”

For more information on the Safety and Education in Shooting Sports project area and events, please contact the Tama County Extension and Outreach Office in Tama County at 641-484-2703 or jhulme@iastate.edu or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.