Chambana Sun

The 2023 4-H State Rifle Shoot took place on October 8 at Central Illinois Precision Shooters in Bloomington, Illinois. The event brought together the top teenage rifle shooters from across the state to compete in small bore and air rifle disciplines.

Curt Sinclair, a University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist, highlighted the precision required in these competitions. "Rifle scores are determined by fractions of millimeters and the intense focus of these 4-H youth to concentrate so hard on a pinpoint shot done from standing, kneeling, and prone positions is very difficult," he said. He also praised the competitors' teamwork: "These youth had an incredible team attitude encouraging others from their 4-H club to do their best when it was their time to shine."

In the Air Rifle Individual Division, Carson Underwood from DeKalb County secured first place, followed by Reese Harper from DeKalb County in second. Willard Rozanas and Savannah Mirabal from Boone County took third and fourth places respectively, while Allison Perkins from McHenry County placed fifth.

DeKalb County emerged as the winner in the Air Rifle County Division, with McHenry County taking second place.

For the .22 Small Bore Rifle Individual Division, Liadan Gray of Winnebago County claimed first place, with Corbin Gray also from Winnebago County coming in second. Beckham Massier from LaSalle County secured third place; Page Martin of McLean County came fourth; and Rebecca Perkins of McHenry County finished fifth.

Winnebago County won first place in the .22 Small Bore County Division, while LaSalle County took second.

Top performers in each category may qualify for the National 4-H Shoot in Grand Island, Nebraska next June if they meet age requirements and have not participated previously.

For more information about Shooting Sports programming with Illinois 4-H, interested parties can visit the Illinois 4-H website. The state shoots receive partial support from Illinois Ducks Unlimited.

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