4-Hers and their coaches who will be taking part in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, June 23-28 in Grand Island, Neb., are, front (from left): Robert Harris, Poultney; Nick McReynolds, Danville; Michelle Roy, St. Johnsbury; Misha Chirkov, Newbury; and Mason Carter, Granville, New York. Back row: Julian Mercy, Hardwick; Frederick Mead, Castleton; David Hale, East Hardwick; and Doug Petty, St. Johnsbury.
BURLINGTON – Six Vermont 4-H club members are Nebraska-bound this summer, thanks to their outstanding performances at state shooting sports events.
The 4-Hers earned a spot on teams that will compete at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, June 23-28, at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island. They are among the more than 800 competitors from across the country to take part in this event, hosted by Nebraska 4-H.
Vermont will field two teams, .22 pistol and muzzleloading. The 4-Hers will be accompanied by their coaches, Kandy Petty of St. Johnsbury and a Green Mountain Shooting Sports leader who will serve as the group coordinator.
Representing the state on the .22 pistol team are Misha Chirkova, Newbury; Nick McReynolds, Danville; and Julian Mercy, Hardwick. Chirkova is a member of the Caledonia Sharp Shooters. McReynolds and Mercy belong to the Green Mountain Sharp Shooters. They are coached by David Hale, East Hardwick.
Selected for Vermont’s muzzleloader team are Mason Carter, Granville, New York; Robert Harris, Poultney; and Michelle Roy, St. Johnsbury. Carter and Harris are members of the Oxbow Mountain Shooting Sports 4-H Club. Roy is a Green Mountain Sharp Shooters member. Coach Doug Petty, St. Johnsbury, will be assisted by Frederick Mead, Castleton, who works with the Oxbow Mountain Shooting Sports 4-H Club in Pawlet.
To qualify, interested 4-H’ers, ages 14 to 18, were required to submit an application explaining why they would like to compete at the national level on a specific team. Selection was based on various factors including recommendations from 4-H club leaders and shooting sports instructors, performance at past Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports Jamborees and strong participation in 4-H.
To learn more about the shooting sports program in Vermont, contact Holly Ferris at (802) 656-7562 or [email protected].
