MONTICELLO, Ill. — The 2026 Illinois 4-H State Trap Shooting Competition may have started with rain clouds, but that didn’t keep one trio of Piatt County marksmen from dominating the competition and bringing home the state championship.
MidState Marksmen 4-H Club members captured the top three individual positions in the senior division out of a field of 75 competitors. Following impressive event performances by Kolten Kidd and Ty Szabo, tie-breaking rounds were needed to determine the final top two positions. Kolten Kidd claimed first, Ty Szabo finished second, and Carter Honchell secured third.
The club’s achievements extended beyond the senior division as Lauren Lester came in first and Declan Stollard placed second in the junior division.
After a disappointing showing at the 2025 state competition, where no Midstate Marksmen members finished among the top 10 competitors, Kidd, Szabo, and Honchell returned in 2026 with another year of experience, determination, and growth. Fueled by last year's results, the trio dedicated themselves to improving their skills. Their hard work paid off as they swept the top three positions in the senior division and claimed the state championship.
Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports helps youth build confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills through safe, hands-on learning experiences. Guided by dedicated volunteers and instructors, participants learn the importance of goal setting, sportsmanship, and teamwork while forming lasting friendships and connections within their communities.
“I can't say how proud I am of this group," says 4-H volunteer Thomas Bates. “They have a great work ethic and have grown into fine young people. They are what 4-H is all about."
Left to right Kolten Kidd, Carter Honchell, Ty Szabo, Declan Stollard, Lauren Lester, Tom Bates
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.