BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H rifle shooters from Illinois gathered to compete in small bore rifle and air rifle competition at the 2022 4-H State Rifle Shoot held at Central Illinois Precision Shooters on Oct. 8.
The rifle shooting sports discipline involves both precision aim and shooting skills mastery.
“Rifle scores are determined by fractions of millimeters and the intense focus of these 4-H youth to concentrate so hard on a pinpoint shot done from standing, kneeling, and prone positions is very difficult,” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist. “These 4-H youth are precision shooters.”
While individuals and counties compete, a team attitude prevails on the range.
“These youth had an incredible team attitude encouraging others from their 4-H club to do their best when it was their time to shine,” says Sinclair.
In the .22 Small Bore Rifle Individual Division, Liadan Gray of Winnebago County placed first, Jacob Schaper of Madison County placed second, Corbin Gray of Winnebago County placed third, and Beckman Massier of LaSalle County placed fourth.
In the .22 Small Bore County Division, where scores are assessed by combining up to four top individual scores, LaSalle County placed first, Franklin County placed second, Winnebago County placed third, and Madison County placed fourth.
In the Air Rifle Individual Division, Rebecca Perkins of McHenry County placed first, Carson Underwood of DeKalb County placed second, Reese Harper of DeKalb County placed third, and Paige Martin of McLean County placed fourth.
In the Air Rifle County Division, McHenry County placed first, DeKalb County placed second, Madison County placed third, and Pulaski County placed fourth.
Top individual shooters in each discipline are eligible to go to the National 4-H Shoot in Grand Island, NE in June 2023 if they fit within the age requirements and have not attended previously in their discipline.
To learn more about Shooting Sports programming with Illinois 4-H, please visit the Illinois 4-H website.
Photo: The Lake-McHenry Air Rifle Team post with Coach David Bender
Source: Curt Sinclair, Extension Specialist – 4-H Shooting Sports and Environmental Ed, University of Illinois Extension, sinclair@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.