Missouri 4-H members packed their bags, bows and firearms and traveled to the 4-H Shooting Sports National Invitational in Kerrville, Texas, last month, and returned home with the Tom Davison trophy in recognition of compiling the top results by a state program.
Since its inception, the traveling trophy had been awarded only to Texas 4-H. After eight years, that changed at 12:02 a.m. July 2, when Missouri was announced as the top program at the 2010 competition.
Missouri took a full complement of teams, nine teams of four youth each plus a volunteer coach for each team. Teams and individuals compete in three events within their shooting discipline and are recognized for their performance in each event. Shooters are then recognized for the overall performance in all three events.
Missouri teams placed in the top five in all nine disciplines: Shotgun, smallbore rifle, smallbore pistol, air rifle, air pistol, muzzleloading, compound archery, recurve archery and hunting skills.
Thirty states represented by 515 youth competed this year at the national contest. Hurricane Alex made for wet and miserable shooting conditions most days, but Missouri 4-H shooters made the most of it and shot well.
Shooting sports is the largest 4-H project Missouri. It has been one of the fastest growing programs nationally over the last 15 years with more than 150,000 boys and girls learning life skills as well as shooting skills under the guidance of caring adult volunteers. Shooting sports, like all 4-H programs, are part of the University of Missouri Extension program.
FYI
To view results from Missouri shooters at the national event, visit extension.missouri.edu/greene/4h/.
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Source: MU Extension Southwest Region News Service