DATE: May 26, 2009

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

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

State Sporting Clay Championship winners announced

CLEMSON — The 4-H Division of the S.C. Youth Shooting Foundation State Sporting Clay Championship took place May 16 at Hermitage Farms in Camden.

"Thank you to all of the volunteers, coaches, parents and the youths for their support and involvement for making the day a huge success," said Rick Willey, Clemson Universiity extension 4-H natural resources specialist. "Thanks also to Hermitage Farms and their staff for hosting the event. "

There were 252 shooters representing four divisions. The 4-H division winners are:

Junior 4-H Individual Awards:

First: Orangeburg County - Dakota Mitchell-Senn

Second: Marlboro County - Graham Jackson

Third: Orangeburg County - Palmer Townsend

Junior 4-H Team Awards:

First: Orangeburg Prep - Will Hutto, Palmer Townsend and Dakota Mitchell-Senn

Second: Pickens County- John Melton, Austin Marling and Isaac Moore

Third: Marlboro County - Victor Perkins, Alex Watson and Christian Burris-Durham

Senior 4-H Individual Awards:

First: Marlboro County - Grant Polson

Second: Orangeburg County - Tyler Houser

Third: Pickens County - Adam Willey

Senior 4-H Team Awards:

First: Orangeburg Prep - Wilson Haddock, Reed Salley, Tyler Houser

Second: Orangeburg Prep - Cody Campbell, Alex Watford, Trey Watford

Third: Dillon County - Cody Gasque, Player Aston, Aaron Gardner

The following All-Around award winners (skeet/trap/sporting clays combined) also were recognized:

Juniors

First: Pickens County - Isaac Moore

Second: Orangeburg County - Palmer Townsend

Third: Orangeburg County - Dakota Mitchell-Senn

Seniors

First: Adam Willey - Pickens County

Second: Grant Polson - Marlboro County

Third: Tyler Houser - Orangeburg County

All-around scores were also used to determine the four senior 4-H'ers who will represent South Carolina at the National Invitational June 24-28 in Grand Island, Neb. They are Tyler Houser, Reed Salley and Wilson Haddock from Orangeburg and Aaron Gardner from Dillon.

"Congratulations to their success," said Willey. "I am sure they will represent us well. Thank you to the South Carolina Youth Shooting Foundation board for their hard work to make this event a success."

To learn more about 4-H in your community, contact your county extension office or go the state 4-H Web site at www.clemson.edu/4h.

 END