Members of Tama County Young Guns including (l-r) coach Roy Silhanek, Wyatt Silhanek, Lauren Keller, and coach Ryan Keller. Contributed photo.

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 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.

Lauren Keller and Wyatt Silhanek, members of the Tama County Young Guns, were part of the Iowa Team. They both were members of the air rifle team. In addition to these youth, Tama County coaches, Ryan Keller and Roy Silhanek attended as coaches for the State of Iowa.

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.

For more information on the Safety and Education in Shooting Sports project area and events, please contact the Tama County Extension and Outreach Office in Tama County at 641-484-2703 or jhulme@iastate.edu or visit the Iowa 4-H website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/.