Posted: April 14, 2025
Pennsylvania 4-H'ers recently earned high rankings in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Quiz Bowl. This virtual competition included participants from around the country.
The competition focused on the mechanics and safety of firearms, as well as specific trivia related to each of the disciplines taught in the 4-H shooting sports program — archery, rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzle loading, hunting skills, and western heritage. Participants also drew from general 4-H and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics knowledge.
Members competed as individuals and in teams of up to four to represent Pennsylvania. Scores are based on the number of correct answers and the amount of time it took to complete the quiz. Thirty-five Pennsylvania 4-H'ers participated in the event overall.
The top 10 teams and individuals in each region and in the nation received medallions or ribbons.
In the junior division, which comprises 4-H'ers ages 8-11, a team consisting of Lawrence Lundgren, of Armstrong County, and Leo Pumford and Aaron Cribbs, both of Indiana County, placed second nationally and first in the Northeast region. As an individual, Cribbs also earned fifth place nationally and fourth in the Northeast region.
Nolan Thurber of Butler County earned sixth place nationally and fifth place in the Northeast region. Cooper Thalhofer, of Washington County, took seventh place in the Northeast region.
4-H'ers ages 12-14 competed in the intermediate division. The Franklin Community Team placed first nationally and first in the Northeast region. This team consisted of Grayson Smolenski, Thaddeus Dillon, Wesley Smolenski, and Justin Haines, all from Fayette County. As an individual, Grayson Smolenski earned first place nationally and first in the Northeast region.
The Indiana County Intermediate 1 Team placed second in the Northeast region. Team members included Cole Barnhart, Milo Penich, and Cameron States. As an individual, Barnhart placed third nationally and second in the Northeast region.
In the individual competition, Thaddeus Dillon of Fayette County placed eighth nationally and first in the Northeast region. Rachel Cribbs, of Indiana County; Blake Cousins, of Armstrong County; and Michael Morse, of Huntingdon County, placed fifth, seventh, and ninth, respectively, in the Northeast region.
Senior competitors are between 15 and 18 years old. In this division, the Indiana County Senior 1 Team of Sadie Palfrey, John Bruner, Riley Fink, and Maggie Palfrey earned fourth place nationally and first place in the Northeast region.
The Indiana County Senior 3 Team of Rachel Cribbs, Dylan Gerhart, Emmy McLaughlin, and Alesis Orr earned third place in the Northeast region. The Armstrong County Senior 2 Team of Madison Cousins, Blake Cousins, Katie Lundgren, and Lindsey Lundgren earned fourth place in the Northeast region.
In the individual senior competition for the Northeast region, Sadie Palfrey took first place; John Bruner earned second place; Carson Riley, of Huntingdon County, took third place; Xavier Staples, of Monroe County, took fourth place; Riley Fink took sixth place; Madison Cousins took seventh place; and Patricia Shively, of Union County, took eighth place.
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.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth development program of the U.S. 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.
