Each year the champion high overall (HOA) shotgun athletes in each division are recognized at the final state shoot of the season. Typically this is done in the spring, but due to COVID postponements and cancellations, this year’s 2019/2020 4-H Shotgun champions were recently recognized based on scores previously posted before the pandemic. We have 5 divisions in the 4-H Shotgun program as defined below:
- Rookie – 5th grade
- Intermediate Entry – 6th-8th Grade and first-year shooting in the Intermediate division
- Intermediate-Advanced – 6th-8th Grade and 2 or more years shooting in Intermediate division
- Senior/Junior Varsity – 9th-12th Grade and first-year shooting in the Senior division
- Senior/Varsity – 9th-12th Grade and 2 or more years shooting in Senior division
This season was nowhere close to normal, but this year’s HOA winners persevered and made the best of what was thrown at them. The 2019-2020 HOA Champions are as follows:
- Rookie – Quaid Busby – Quaid is from Anderson, SC, and shoots with the Crescent Elite Shooters in Anderson County
- Intermediate Entry – Lee Graham – Lee is from Summerton, SC, and shoots with the Featherhorn Young Guns team in Clarendon County.
- Intermediate-Advanced – Charlie Gaillard – Charlie comes to us from Iva, SC, and shoots with Crescent Elite Shooters in Anderson County
- Senior/Junior Varsity – Turner Parcell – Turner is from Swansea, SC, and shoots for Mid-Carolina Young Guns in Orangeburg County.
- Senior/Varsity – Matthew Blankenship – Matthew is from Sumter, SC, and shoots with Featherhorn Young Guns in Clarendon County
We also recognize our top HOA female intermediate athlete and our top HOA female senior athlete.
- Intermediate Female HOA – Lizzie Ardis – Lizzie is from Sumter, SC, and shoots for the Featherhorn Young Guns team in Clarendon County
- Senior Female HOA – Andi Grae Wingate – Andi Grae is also from Sumter, SC, and also shoots for Featherhorn Young Guns in Clarendon County.
“We are extremely proud of all these young people and congratulate them for their hard work and accomplishments both on and off the field. All of these youth embody the life skills and positive youth development that 4-H strives to instill in all of its members”, says Rick Willey, Extension 4-H Shooting Sports Specialist.
For their accomplishments, all of these champions were awarded a champion belt buckle pictured …
The SC Shooting Sports program provides opportunities in the disciplines of shotgun, rifle, and archery. There are local, state, regional, and national opportunities for the youth. To learn more about 4-H Shooting Sports in your area, contact your local county extension office or Rick Willey at rwlly@clemson.edu
