GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Thirteen Illinois 4-H participants recently showcased their specific shooting skills and sportsmanship at the 2023 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in Grand Island, Neb., June 25 through June 30. This long running annual event attracted a record number of 718 youth from 42 states.

The National 4-H Shooting Sports program focuses on safety and education which helps youth practice self-discipline, goal setting, sportsmanship, and problem solving under the guidance of a certified adult mentor. The national competition serves as the culminating event for 4-H youth shooting sports.

“When youth come to nationals, they gain a sense of belonging and are part of an event shared with youth across their state and the country,” says Conrad Arnold, long-standing 4-H Shooting Sports national committee chair. “We love to see the youth develop mastery of all the different skills necessary to compete in the different disciplines. When youth compete at this event, youth develop higher levels of focus, determination, independence, responsibility and the ability to pay attention to details in ways that will benefit them in other future pursuits.”

The shooting disciplines offered for competition included compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzle loading and hunting/outdoor skills.

The Illinois 4-H team results included:

The Compound Archery team of Jacob Nusz of Stark County, Dylan Blair of Edgar County, and Ian Sundberg of LaSalle County placed 11th out of 32 teams.

The Shotgun team of Jonathan Barbee of Piatt County, Morgan Tracey of Fulton County, Kody Roberts of Piatt County, and Alex Paul of Wayne County placed 28th out of 34 teams.

The Air Rifle team of Rebecca Perkins of McHenry County, Paige Martin of McLean County, and Cheyanne Bierman of McHenry County placed 17th out of 22 teams.

The .22 Small Bore Rifle team of Liaden Gray of Winnebago County, Jacob Schaper of Madison County, and Corbin Gray of Winnebago County finished 17th out of 23 teams.

Youth participated in teams and gained experience through individual competition as well.

“A special accomplishment from this great group of 4-H youth is the performance of Jacob Nusz in compound archery” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois 4-H shooting sports coordinator. “This popular discipline attracted 111 of the top archers in the nation and Jacob finished in sixth place. That’s just incredible.”

The Illinois 4-H Foundation and Illinois Farm Bureau provides support for the Illinois 4-H shooting sports program.

“The whole experience is just amazing as it opens up the eyes of our youth to a whole new world of friends and opportunities beyond shooting sports and Nebraska hosts this event in amazing fashion,” says shotgun coach Tom Bates of Piatt County.

To find out more about youth shooting sports programs in your area, contact your local Extension Office.

Source: Curt Sinclair, Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator, 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.