University of Missouri Extension 4-H’ers Fare Well in National Contest

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension 4-H shooting team took
second place overall at the 2008 4-H Shooting Sports National
Invitational in Grand Island, Neb., June 23-26. Thirty-four Missouri
youth competed against more than 400 young people from 28 other states
in the national contest.

MU Extension 4-H placed second in the shotgun, smallbore rifle and
hunting skills competitions. They placed third in muzzleloading, fourth
in recurve archery and fifth in the compound archery and air pistol
contests.

Gerry Snapp, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth specialist, said
the event has become a family affair.

“Nearly 90 family members traveled to Nebraska to share the experience
with their 4-H member,” he said.

MU Extension 4-H has been sending shooting sports teams to the 4-H
Shooting Sports Invitational since the contest’s beginning in 2002.
Teams from Missouri have placed second in the sweepstakes since 2004.
This year, Missouri is second only to Texas when it comes to quality
shooters.

“There are many ways to measure success of a program. The results of
competition are just one,” Snapp said. “The best measure of success is
the personal development of the young people participating in that
program. Youth in the MU Extension 4-H shooting program develop life
skills, such as goal-setting, self-discipline, responsibility and
decision-making. They have an opportunity to increase skill levels in
pursuit of excellence, build self-esteem, experience the mentorship of
caring adults and enjoy relationships developed with their peers.”

For more information on MU Extension 4-H shooting sports, visit
http://4h.missouri.edu/go/projects/shootingsports.