PEKIN, Ill. — Illinois youth gathered at a statewide competition on Sept. 16 to put their skill mastery in archery to the test. In addition to skill levels, the competitions focus on building teamwork abilities, camaraderie, and of course fun.

“I know at first it appears odd to have competitions at the start of the program year, but these teens have been mastering their skills for a long time,” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H shooting sports state coordinator. “This system gives us a chance to choose our National 4-H teams now as they need to be prepared to shoot against the best of the best from other states next June.”

Top finishers in each discipline will begin training for competition at the June National 4-H Shooting Sports Competition. Competitors compete in Senior Division which is for youth ages 13-18 and Junior Division for youth 12 years old.

In the Compound Bow Senior Division Isaac Mohr of Henderson County placed first, Tate Sundberg of LaSalle County took second place, Caleb Cloninger of Macoupin County took third place, Ethan Mohr of Henderson County took fourth place, and Riggins Shafer of Stark County took fifth.

In the Recurve Bow Senior Division Eve Snider of Mason County took first place, Allison Perkins of McHenry County took second place, and Rebecca Perkins of McHenry County took third place.

In the Compound Bow Junior Division Henry Neri of LaSalle County took first place, MaKenna Harding of Macoupin County took second place, Grace Glasgow of Brown-Schuyler County took third place, Jake Glasgow of Brown-Schuyler County took fourth place, and Zoe Tilton of Livingston County took fifth place.

In the Recurve Bow Junior Division Nathan Perkins of McHenry County took first, and Kallen Pequignot of Mason County took second.

“Great talent was on display this year in both senior and junior levels,” says Sinclair  “Good job shooters, parents, and 4-H volunteers.”

To learn more about Shooting Sports programming with Illinois 4-H, please visit the Illinois 4-H website.

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.