Iowa delegates competed in a variety of disciplines at the 2022 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska, June 26-July 1. About 700 4-H youth from 39 states across the country competed in compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading and hunting skills.
The 4-H project area of Safety and Education in Shooting Sports assists young people and their leaders in gaining knowledge and developing life skills through shooting sports. 4-H members in this project area learn the safe and responsible use of equipment, decision making, self-discipline, concentration and sportsmanship.
The following young people represented Iowa at this national event:
- Air rifle team: Lauren Keller, Wyatt Silhanek, Braden Vik, Collin Vik.
- Archery compound team: Slade Graham, Jordon Kloth, Ransom Mascher.
- Archery recurve – individuals: Mikayla Kloth, Hope Miller.
- Muzzleloader team: William Dunbar, Zane Fisher, Maxwell Owen.
- Rifle smallbore team: Jacob Geis, Jared Geis, Elijah Madsen.
- Shotgun team: Curtis Campbell, Cael Honnold, Haydan Pestorious, Grant Van Nice.
- Wildlife participant: Megan Swarzendruber.
Smallbore rifle coach Les Bacon shared how much of an improvement he saw in the kids. “After the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships is over, it is almost a completely different group of kids, the growth in skills and confidence is that huge. Everyone who comes here once wants to come back again. Shooting Sports is not about winning. It is about teaching kids the focus and determination to overcome challenges to reach their goals. Shooting sports is about 90% mental and 10% physical,” Bacon said.
Mikayla Kloth from Ames won first place overall in the recurve archery competition.
“I decided last summer I wanted to come to Nationals for recurve archery. Shooting sports has taught me that if you have a goal, you have to overcome challenges and focus on how to get where you want to be,” Kloth said.
Official event scores and event photos can be found at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship website.
For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program or the Safety and Education in Shooting Sports project area and events, please contact your Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.
