Shooting Sports

BUILDING IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS

Ben Snider, Mason County National Recurve Archery Reserve Champion

Thirty-two states sent close to 600 youth to the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships, an even bigger turnout than pre-pandemic attendance. Although in-person events were stalled, Illinois youth spent much of the past year practicing and keeping their skills sharp for just this moment.

“These young adults kept focus on mastering their skills throughout the pandemic,” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H shooting sports coordinator. “They kept the faith that they’d get a chance to showcase their skills at this national event, even practicing without their coaches for much of that time.”

Each discipline faced three different days of competition with three different types of shooting before individual and team scores were announced.

“The entire Illinois team is a shining example of what type of personal confidence and self-worth can come from taking one’s passion from a spark to mastery through the 4-H shooting sports program,” says Sinclair.

Payton Harding, Macoupin County Levi Nusz, Stark County Cliff Strack, Piatt County Shandre Willougby of McLean County and Braden May of Massac County lead the pledges at The National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships awards ceremonies in front of 5,000 people.

Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports help youth build life skills. In addition to skill mastery, the program focuses on:

• Teaching decision-making, teamwork, self-discipline, self-confidence and problem solving • Promoting the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior • Encouraging an appreciation and understanding of natural resources • Developing leadership abilities • Building character and willingness to assume citizenship responsibility • Strengthening families through participation in lifelong recreational activities • Building awareness of related career opportunities SHOOTING SPORTS AMBASSADOR TEAM Trained by the National Shooting Sports Committee, these ambassadors are a positive voice for shooting sports, promoting shooting sports as a safe space where anyone can join in.

Braden May, Massac County Shandre Willoughby, McLean County Cole Haynes, LaSalle County Paul Knipmeyer, Dewitt County

With the pandemic cancelling the June 2020 4-H National Competition, Illinois 4-H quickly created a virtual competition to keep 4-H members motivated to master their skills.

From September – December, 2020 4-H Shooting Sports Club Leaders submitted 422 scores from archery, rifle, and shotgun competitions being conducted at local 4-H club shoots following all safety protocols.