Posted: August 31, 2022
Pennsylvania 4-H'ers recently competed in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship in Grand Island, Nebraska. The competition included 691 participants from 39 states.
"Not only did I get to see some country I'm not used to, but I also got to meet and interact with some great people," said Brandon Shrodo, a 4-H'er from Clinton County. "The camaraderie was amazing."
Added 4-H'er Joshua Stubbs, of Lycoming County: "This event has sparked my interest to find and participate in other 4-H sporting events."
Like all 4-H programs, the 4-H shooting sports curriculum is focused on positive youth development and teaching life skills. With guidance, training and supervision from adult mentors, 4-H shooting sports provide a positive experience for youth and promote the safe and ethical use of firearms and archery equipment.
Pennsylvania teams included the following:
Air pistol
Kimberly Gauntlett, of Montgomery County
Brianna Towns, of Montgomery County
Aaron Tomanchek, of Susquehanna County
Coach Michael Tomanchek
Shotgun
Garrett Goshorn, of Franklin County
Ethan Mellott, of Fulton County
Brandon Shrodo, of Clinton County
Logan Stroup, of Northumberland County
Coach Brandi Mellott
Small-bore rifle
Emily Bennett, of Indiana County
Sadie Palfrey, of Indiana County
Noah Lehman, of Somerset County
Zachary Tedrow, of Somerset County
Coach John Gingrich
Compound archery
Elizabeth Bruner, of Indiana County
Kendyl Truax, of Fulton County
Logan Hutchison, of Somerset County
Joshua Stubbs, of Lycoming County
Coach Clark Bruner
Air rifle
Brianna Fornwalt, of Bedford County
Zoe McCorkle, of Montgomery County
Alexander Plonski, of Montgomery County
Donald Watkins, of Centre County
Coach Belinda Long
Pennsylvania 4-H'ers secured many awards throughout the week, both in team and individual categories. The Pennsylvania small bore team placed second in the overall team ranking. For the. 22 rifle three-position event of standing, kneeling and prone, the Pennsylvania team earned first place. Individually in that category, Lehman earned fourth, Bennett fifth, Tedrow sixth and Palfrey ninth.
Towns secured seventh place in the air pistol animal silhouette competition. For the air rifle standing category, Fornwalt earned 10th place. Palfrey ranked fourth for the small-bore rifle civilian marksmanship program. In the small-bore silhouette category, the Pennsylvania team earned second place, with Bennett ranking second individually and Tedrow ranking seventh.
Bruner serves as the national 4-H shooting sports ambassador. State coordinators were Paul McFarland Jr., extension education program specialist, and Darlene Resh, 4-H extension educator, who also serves on the national 4-H shooting sports committee.
"It was incredible to watch our folks respond well to adversity, make new friends and have fun, all while representing Pennsylvania 4-H with the utmost integrity," said McFarland Jr.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the United States Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
