URBANA, Ill. — A total of 167 Illinois 4-H youth recently showcased their marksmanship skills in statewide competitions across the shooting sports disciplines of rifle, archery, pistol, and shotgun. These events serve as culminating experiences where participants can measure the progress they have made toward goals set a year earlier while enjoying the camaraderie of meeting fellow youth from across Illinois who share similar interests.
The Precision Air Rifle State Competition was held September 12, 2026, at Central Illinois Precision Shooters in Bloomington. Lillie Harper of DeKalb County 4-H claimed the individual championship, while McHenry County 4-H earned the county championship, awarded based on the combined scores of the top four competitors from a county program.
The Illinois 4-H State Archery Tournament took place September 19, 2026, at Pekin Archers in Pekin. Competitors demonstrated proficiency in 3-D, Field, and International FITA archery disciplines at distances up to 50 yards. In the Senior Compound Division, Isaac Mohr of Henderson County 4-H captured the individual title. Macoupin County 4-H earned the top county team score.
The 2026 Illinois 4-H State Trap Shooting Competition was held September 26 at Brittany Shooting Park near Bunker Hill. The day began with rain clouds to the west and sunshine to the east, creating a rainbow that appeared to end directly over the trap range. Members of Piatt County 4-H must have been first to make a wish, as they claimed the top three individual positions among the 75 competitors and easily secured the county championship. Tie-breaking rounds were needed to determine the final Top 10 standings. When the dust settled, Kolten Kidd of Piatt County earned first place, while fellow Piatt County shooter Ty Szabo finished a close second.
Illinois 4-H also conducted an outdoor .22 Smallbore Rifle Competition on September 26 at the same location. Modeled after the 4-H National Sporter CMP competition, the event challenged participants with targets at distances up to 50 yards and tested marksmanship skills in standing, sitting, kneeling, and prone positions during both slow-fire and rapid-fire stages. Madison County 4-H narrowly edged Franklin County 4-H to earn the highest county score. Titus Cloninger of Madison County 4-H posted the top individual score in the competition.
A .22 Smallbore Pistol Competition was conducted at the club level during 2026, with scores submitted for statewide recognition. Evelyn Bremer of Madison County 4-H earned first place in the Optics Division, while Levi O'Neal captured first place in the Iron Sight Division.
Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports provides a unique opportunity for youth to experience the core elements of the 4-H mission through goal setting, personal growth, belonging, and community engagement. Dedicated adult volunteers and leaders mentor participants in the positive aspects of the shooting sports, with safety remaining the highest priority. The friendships, sportsmanship, and camaraderie gained along the way are simply added benefits of the experience.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.