News Release Distributed 07/07/15
BATON ROUGE, La. – Thirty-six 4-H’ers from across the state represented Louisiana at the 2015 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship in Grand Island, Nebraska, on June 21-26.
The national competition encompasses a variety of disciplines, including archery, BB gun, muzzle loading, air rifle, rifle, air pistol, pistol, shotgun and hunting skills.
Louisiana individual and team winners were:
Archery Compound team overall, fourth place: Logan Angelle, St. Martin Parish; Luke Seguin and Matthew Seguin, Livingston Parish; Zack Guillory, West Baton Rouge Parish; and coach Harold Seguin.
Individual Archery Compound, seventh place, Matthew Seguin, Livingston Parish.
Hunting Skills team overall, fourth place: Dylan Benson, Jefferson Davis Parish; Morgan Manuel, Klein Pearce and Trevor Watson, Sabine Parish; and coach Chris Pearce.
Individual Hunting Skills: 10th place, Klein Pearce, Sabine Parish.
Muzzle Loading team overall, fifth place: Ethan Ebarb, Joseph Williams and Justin Bass, Sabine Parish; Travis Walker, DeSoto Parish; and coach Lindell Valentine.
Individual Muzzle Loading: third place, Travis Walker, DeSoto Parish.
Small-bore Pistol team overall, first place: Bobby Brignac, Ascension Parish; Miles Sinagra, Tangipahoa Parish; Charles Little, Winn Parish; Courtney Stephens, Jackson Parish; and coach Bob Davis.
Individual Small-bore Pistol: second place, Bobby Brignac, Ascension Parish; fourth place Miles Sinagra, Tangipahoa Parish.
“In Louisiana, shooting activities are a way of life,” said David Boldt, LSU AgCenter shooting sports director.
The 4-H shooting sports program is designed to encourage participation in natural resources and related natural science programs through shooting, hunting and related activities, Boldt said.
“Our youth are getting involved with hunting and shooting activities at an early age,” he said. “It is critical that they learn the safe and responsible use of firearms, archery and related equipment.”
The program uses positive learning and interaction with youth and adult role models. The disciplines are modeled after the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program and are administered by nationally certified state leaders consisting of extension personnel and volunteers.
The first Louisiana shooting sports competition was held in 2000 at 4-H Camp Grant Walker with about 75 youth participants, Boldt said.
The shooting sports program has since evolved into two regional competitions and a state-level competition with over 1,600 youth participating.
Brandy Orlando