DATE: May 21, 2008

CONTACT: Rick Willey, (864) 656-3090
rwlly@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741
spalmer@clemson.edu

4-H trap and skeet contest winners announced

CLEMSON — More than 70 youngsters participated in the 4-H Trap and Skeet Shotgun contest May 10 at Mid-Carolina Gun Club in Orangeburg. Awards were given for the top three places for individuals and teams in both the junior and senior divisions. Top overall individual awards were also given for young people who participated in both trap and skeet and sporting clays events. The sporting clays contest was May 3.

The winners are:

Senior Skeet Team Awards (14-19 years old)
First place: Dillon County – Henry Easterling, Cody Gasque, Player Aston
Second place: Marlboro County – Grant Polson, Bo Stokes, Scott Smith, Garrison Quick
Third place: Pickens County – Catherine Blankenship, Scooter Barnwell, Daniel Williams

Senior Skeet Individual Awards
First place: Grant Polson – Marlboro County
Second place: Cody Gasque, Dillon County
Third place: Player Aston, Dillon County

Senior Trap Team Awards
First place: Pickens County – Catherine Blankenship, Scooter Barnwell, Daniel Williams
Second place: Dillon County – Henry Esterling, Cody Gasque, Player Aston
Third place: Marlboro County – Grant Polson, Bo Stokes, Scott Smith, Garrison Quick

Senior Trap Individual Awards
First place: Player Aston, Dillon County
Second place: Grant Polson, Marlboro County
Third place: Daniel Williams, Pickens County

Senior Overall Individual Awards
First place: Grant Polson, Marlboro County
Second place: Garrison Quick, Marlboro County
Third place: Daniel Williams, Pickens County
Fourth place: Henry Easterling and Cody Gasque, both from Dillon County

Junior Skeet Team Awards (9 to 13 years old)
First place: Hampton County – Jacob Barnes, Rogan Gibson, Stacey Godley, Corey Sease
Second place: Pickens County – Adam Willey, Isaac Moore, John Melton, Eric Williams
Third place: Newberry County – Sean Blanton, Austin Bartley, Bobby McCleod, Cole Dickert

Junior Skeet Individual Awards
First place: Aaron Powell, Abbeville County
Second place:– Cole Dickert, Newberry County
Third place: Adam Willey – Pickens County

Junior Trap Team Awards
First place: Pickens County - Adam Willey, Isaac Moore, John Melton, Eric Williams
Second place: Hampton County – Jacob Barnes, Rogan Gibson, Stacey Godley, Corey Sease
Third place: Newberry County – Sean Blanton, Austin Bartley, Bobby  McCleod, Cole Dickert

Junior Trap Individual Awards
First place: Aaron Powell, Abbeville County
Second place: Corey Sease, Hampton County
Third place: Bradley Odom, Marlboro County

Junior Overall Individual Awards
First place: Adam Willey, Pickens County
Second place: Cole Dickert, Newberry County
Third place: Logan Cox, Dillon County

The following seniors, as a result of their placing, were also awarded the opportunity to represent South Carolina 4-H at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational to be held June 22-26 in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Garrison Quick - Marlboro County
Daniel Williams - Pickens County
Henry Easterling - Dillon County
Cody Gasque - Dillon County

“We want to thank the gun club members, 4-H volunteers, parents, the S.C. Association of Extension 4-H Agents and, of course, the kids for helping to make this event a success,” said Rick Willey, Clemson extension 4-H natural resources specialist.

Through the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, young people learn marksmanship, the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery and more. The activities of the program and the support of adult leaders provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth and conservation ethics.

For more information about 4-H, visit online at: http://www.clemson.edu/4H/ or contact your local Clemson extension office. For more information about the 4-H shooting sports program, contact Rick Willey at (864) 656-3090.