PC 4-H Shooting Sports holds end of season ceremony

The Phillips County 4-H Shooting Sports held their annual pizza and awards ceremony on April 23rd at Stretch’s Banquet Room. There were 53 youth that participated in the program this year for a total of 76 disciplines. The youth shot for 8 weeks on the county level in archery, air rifle and air pistol disciplines.

There were 29 youth that participated in the 3P (prone, standing and kneeling) air rifle. There were two divisions of beginners (9 to 10 year olds): The first year shooters results are as follows: 5th – Taylin Johannesen (1360.001), 4th – Jeslyn McCorkle (1371.001), 3rd – Layla Messerly (1438), 2nd – Gabriella Rich (1679.002) and in 1st was Jack Boonstra with a score of 1689.001. All youth received medals. Most improved youth was Karson Kelsey with an increase in the second four week period over the first four week period of 57.00 points. Other Beginning 1st year participants were: Laynee Simpson, Ryder Raymond, Jaydon Fercho and Danika Wilke. The next group of Beginners shooting their 2nd or 3rd year results are: 2nd – Jocelyn Brown (1042.020) and 1st – Gavin Slade (1048.015). Most improved youth was Gavin Slade with an increase of 35.75 points. Other participants were; Hunter Stolem, Giona Lamb and Clay Hallenberg.

Youth completing in advanced juniors (11 to 13 year olds) with 2400 points possible were; 6th – Connor Tuss (1087.004), 5th – Spencer Gibbs (1123.004), 4th – Carson Ottinger (1143.002), 3rd – Lavida White (1161), 2nd – Kyle Johannesen (1293.002) and 1st – Brett Wiebe (1489.006) all receiving medals. Most improved shooter was Lavida White with an increase of 41.25 points over the first four weeks. Other advanced junior participants were: Isabelle Hallenberg, Lauren Tuss, Justine Lamb, Dre Oshio and Lane Thompson.

Senior division youth (14 & Over) with 2400 points possible were; 1st place – Charlee Rhodes (1490.007) receiving a medal. Other senior participants were: Joe and Josh Salveson. Most improved shooter was Joseph Salveson with an increase of 17.00 points over the first four weeks.

There were four participants in the pistol discipline with the following results on the county level. Advanced Junior’s (12 yr. olds) hold the pistol with both hands while seated with 2400 possible points. Dre Oshio (1747.002) received the 1st place medal. Kaden LaBrie and Dylan Brown also participated. Senior Division (15 and over standing using one hand) 1st - place was Joe Salveson (1586.000). Most improved pistol shooter was Dre Oshio with a 16.75 point increase.

In the archery division youth participated in primitive and bowhunter disciplines. Primitive archery consists of a recurve or longbow, fingers and no sights. A total of 29 youth participated in the primitive archery division. In the beginning juniors (9 & 10 yr olds), the top 5 winners as follows; 5th – Clay Hallenberg (673), 4th – Danika Wilke (759), 3rd – Hunter Stolem (871.01), 2nd – Addison Ulrich (955) and 1st – Giona Lamb (1139.04). Owen Thompson received the most improved shooter with a 53.25 point increase. Other youth participating were; Brittney Sorlie, Jack Boonstra, Jeslyn McCorkle, Matthew Hunter and Karson Kelsey.

In the advance junior (11 – 13 yr olds), the top 5 shooters were as follows; 5th – Carson Ottinger (1170.01), 4th – Zach Ulrich (1171), 3rd – Kyle Johannesen (1204.03), 2nd – Lavida White (1271.03) and 1st – Brett Wiebe (1447.06). Most improved shooter was Kyle Johannesen with a 46.50 point increase. Other participants included; Lane Thompson, Dre Oshio, Makiya Wilke, Tia Siewing and Madison Rich.

Youth who placed in the senior division (14 & over) were; 4th – Parker Mortenson (1486.010), 3rd – Charlee Rhodes (1487.04), 2nd – Raina Mortenson (1535.002) and 1st – Grayson Waters (1713.004). Most improved shooter was Charlee Rhodes with a 34.75 point increase. Other seniors participating were: David Skiff, Dayton Hicks, Pierce Mortenson and Tori Siewing.

In bow hunter (Any bow with mechanical release aid, and fixed sights with a length of 5" or less.

Peeps with clarifiers or verifiers are allowed. A single straight 12" maximum stabilizer is allowed, 10 youth participated. Winning the beginning junior division was Gavin Slade with a score of 1969.017. In the advanced junior division placers were; 2nd – Connor Tuss (1816.011) and 1st – Justine Lamb (2000.013). Other participants were; Reese Brown, Danielle Pugh and Isabelle Hallenberg. In the senior division, the top three placers were; 3rd – Jalen Lamb (2151.048), 2nd – Grayson Waters (2154.028) and 1st place – Kari Koss (2156.025). Chloe Hunter also participated in the senior division. The most improved bow hunter shooter was Connor Tuss with an increase of 31.00 points.

Grayson Waters and Joe Salveson received the Melissa Lundstrom Memorial Sportsmanship Awards. This award is voted upon by the shooting sports leaders and is based on a youth that shows exceptional sportsmanship and leadership with the other participants.

All youth who competed on the county level also competed in the State wide postal shoot. This shoot takes in all youth within the state and uses the top 6 scores from the 10 week shoot and awards medals for teams and individual winners. Phillips County has done excellent again this year receiving 29 team medals.

The following youth were recognized as state teams (made up of 4 youth throughout the state). The age divisions consist of 9 – 10 year olds, 11 – 12 year olds, 13 – 14 year olds and 15 and over. Winners in the Primitive archery division: 9 & 10 year olds – 1st place team members were; Danika Wilke, Hunter Stolem, Addison Ulrich and Giona Lamb with a combined score of 3091.003. The 3rd place team members were; Jeslyn McCorkle, Clay Hallenberg, Brittney Sorlie and Jack Boonstra scoring 2033. Primitive 11 & 12 year olds – 2nd place team members were; Lane Thompson, Carson Ottinger, Kyle Johannesen and Lavida White scoring 3839.008. Primitive 13 & 14 year olds – 1st place team members were; Parker and Pierce Mortenson, Brett Wiebe and Dayton Hicks scoring 4521.021. 2nd place team members were; Tori Siewing and three other youth from around the state scoring 2895.002. Primitive 15 and over – 1st place team members were; David Skiff, Charlee Rhodes, Raina Mortenson and Grayson Waters scoring 4865.011.

Unlimited 11-12 year old 2nd place team members were; Danielle Pugh other members on the team from around the state scoring 5376.053. Senior division (15 and over) members were; 3rd place team with only three youth on the team was Kari Koss with a combined scoring of 6899.027.

Bow hunter division team awards are in the 9 – 10 year olds. 2nd place team members were; Gavin Slade and other youth from around the state with a combined score of 5476.032.

Our individual winners are youth that had the top scores in their age division. The first and second place winners received a plaque and the 3rd through 6th place winners received a ribbon. In the primitive 9 & 10 year olds were: 2nd – Giona Lamb (928.002), 3rd – Addison Ulrich (773.000), and 5th – Hunter Stolem (722.001). Primitive 11 – 12 year olds; 5th – Lavida White (1003.003), and 6th – Kyle Johannesen (977.003). Primitive 13 & 14 year olds were; 2nd – Parker Mortenson (1149.009), 3rd – Pierce Mortenson (1126.004), 4th – Dayton Hicks (1123.004), 5th – Brett Wiebe (1123.004) and 6th – Tori Siewing (906.000). Primitive 15 & over: 1st – Grayson Waters (1368.004).

We had two individuals place in the 9 – 10 year old air rifle division. In 5th place was Jocelyn Brown (836) and in 4th place was Gavin Slade (850.00). We had one team placing in the 9 to 10 year olds in air rifle. The 2nd place team consisted of Gavin Slade, Jocelyn Brown, Hunter Stolem and Giona Lamb.

In the Air Pistol division for the state postal shoot, results are as follows. Team winner in the 15 and over division (1 handed standing) was Joe Salveson receiving 3rd place.

We had 10 youth attend the State Shoot in Bozeman, March 3rd through the 6th participating in 26 events. Participants were; Clay and Isabelle Hallenberg, Grayson Waters, Brett Wiebe, Danika and Makiya Wilke, Connor Tuss, Carson Ottinger, Reese Brown and Kari Koss. Placing in Primitive Archery in the 15 and over division was Grayson Waters. Grayson received a trophy for placing 1st throughout the state. Youth participated in a 3D Shoot. Results are as follows: 9 – 10 year olds – 2nd place receiving a trophy was Danika Wilke. 11 – 12 year olds, both receiving trophies, Carson Ottinger – 1st and Makiya Wilke – 2nd. In 15 and over, Grayson Waters received a 3rd place medal.

Thanks to all the youth who participated this year and to the following leaders for making our program as successful as it is. James Barnard, Kay Harms, Willie Harms, Don Klinko, Ben Kurns, Justin Lamb, Collin Mahan, Eugene and Margo Salveson, Ann Shettel, Alecia and Steven Waters.

We would like to thank the community and the following businesses for their continued support of this youth organization; Hardware Hank, Stretch’s, Malta Volunteer Fire Department, Malta Athletic Club, American Legion and Westside Sports.