Amber Robinson Contributing writer
This weekend the Craig County 4-H Shooting Stars competed in their first match of the year at the W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center. The competition was Virginia Spring Air and it drew 177 participants from across the state.
Four youth represented Craig County at this competition while competing in Progressive Position Air Pistol and Air Pistol Silhouettes. In the Progressive Position Air Pistol competition, shooters have 20 minutes to fire 20 shots at four targets.
The targets are then replaced and the process is repeated again for a total of 40 shots at eight targets. Callie Musselwhite and Isac Haga both experienced their first taste of shooting competition while competing in the Basic Supported position of Progressive Position Air Pistol. Callie placed as the fifth highest individual in that position. Seasoned competitor Keith Burnette also shot from this position and he placed as the seventh highest overall individual in the Basic Supported position.
Keegan Burnette was required to compete in the Standing Supported position of air pistol due to his age. However, he finished very well in eighth place overall in that position. Keegan, Keith and Callie joined together to compose a supported position team and they were the third place supported position air pistol team. All four competitors also competed in Air Pistol Silhouettes.
This competition consists of four sets of animals (chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams) set up at four different distances (10, 12.5, 15 and 18 yards). Competitors are given two and a half minutes to fire five shots at the five animals at that stage. The number that they knock over is then recorded and they rotate to the next station of animals. Callie and Keegan both earned green ribbons while Keith received a bronze. Keith finished as the fourth place overall individual and fourth place in a supported position. Isac earned a silver ribbon and first place overall individual and first in a supported position. Congratulations to all competitors and a big thank you to coaches Mike Hinson and Gary Greene who support and train these 4-H youth.
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