DATE: May 12, 2009

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

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

4-H’ers in Pendleton and Anderson County took top honors at state BB gun match

CLEMSON — South Carolina 4-H’ers converged at the state fairgrounds April 25 for the State 4-H BB Gun Match.

Participants took 10 shots in each of the standard positions: prone, standing, sitting and kneeling. They also took a written gun-safety test based on the National Rifle Association BB Gun Rule book and a Daisy Safety manual. 

The winners are:

Individual awards for prone position: first place, Sam Leap of Seneca; second place, Andrew Pruitt of Seneca; and third place, Ray Cummings of Pendleton.

Individual awards for standing position: first place, Emlynn Shoemaker of Pendleton; second place, Andrew Pruitt of Seneca; and third place, Jaime Wood of Belton.

Individual awards for sitting position: first place, Jake Willey of Pendleton; second place, Josh Arnold of Seneca; and third place, Emlynn Shoemaker of Pendleton.

Individual awards for kneeling position:  first place, Ray Cummings of Pendleton; second place, Andrew Pruitt of Seneca; and third place, Ian Cummings of Pendleton.

Overall individual awards: first place, Emlynn Shoemaker of Pendleton; second place, Andrew Pruitt of Seneca; and third place, Ian Cummings of Pendleton.

Team awards:  first place, Anderson Aces of Pendleton, Anderson County; team members are Ian Cummings, Graylyn Christenbury, Ray Cummings, Emlynn Shoemaker, Jake Willey, Caleb Cutlip and Jonathan Burdette.

Team awards: second place, Oconee Sharp Shooters of Seneca, Oconee County; team members are Josh Arnold, Benjamin Arnold, Isaac Arnold, Sam Leap, Andrew Pruitt and Elizabeth Leap.

Team awards: third place, Belton Gun Club-4-H BB of Belton, Anderson County; team members are Jaime Wood, Stone Grant, Michaela Whitledge, Samuel Whitledge, Tommy Collins, Thomas Roberts and Marti Leak.

This is the third year in a row the Anderson Aces team from Pendleton has won the title State Champions. They, along with the second- and third-place teams, will represent South Carolina 4-H at the 2009 International BB Gun Championship Match to be held July 2-6 in Bowling Green, Ky.

They are in the process of soliciting donations to support their trip. To make a donation, contact Rick Willey, Clemson University 4-H natural resource specialist, at 864-656-3090.       

Through the 4-H Shooting Sports Program youths 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.

“We are proud of all the kids that came out to the event,“ said Willey. “Everyone practiced great sportsmanship and safe practices. All the kids did very well on their safety exam. I want to give a special thanks to the state fairgrounds for hosting this event.”

This event was sponsored by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service with additional support from Daisy Outdoor Products.

4-H is a community of young people across America who learn leadership, citizenship and life skills. The South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach, the involvement of caring adults, the knowledge and resources of Clemson University and the land-grant university system to empower youth to become healthy, productive and contributing members of society.

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