Emanuel County 4-H Project S.A.F.E. Modified Trap wrapped up its season with the state match. Local 4-H’ers participated in three levels of competition: the local Randy Fagler Memorial County Match, the Southeast District qualifying matches, and the state 4-H modified trap match in Eatonton.
The Randy Fagler Memorial County Match was held Sunday, April 11. The following 4-H’ers were recognized as top shooters for their grade level: Jake Adams (seventh grade), Peyton Lee (eighth grade), Mason Simmons (ninth grade), Jack Williams (10th grade), Hoage Reynolds (11th grade), and Austin Eubanks (12th grade). Grace McBride received an award for overall top senior female. Jack Williams received the senior overall honor. Natalee Brown was named overall top junior female, and Peyton Lee was named top junior overall.
The first of the Southeast District competitions was held Saturday, April 17, at Bay Gall Sporting Clays, while the second was held Sunday, April 24, in Toombs County. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, these matches were qualifiers only; no individual or team awards were given. At the district competitions, 27 of the youth shooters qualified for state competition.
The state competition was held Saturday, May 8, and Emanuel County was represented by 24 4-H’ers. Shooters were grouped by age to form teams of five.
The junior team made up of Jake Adams, Maddox Robertson, Spencer Lawrence, Cooper Riner, and Hunter Lane placed third in the competition with a score of 94/100 targets. A second junior team made up of Landon Lindsey, Jacob McBride, Peyton Lee, Jay Johnson, and Revan Fortner placed seventh by shooting 89/100 targets.
Hoage Reynolds, River Hooks, and Peyton Lee were also recognized for shooting 25/25 targets at the match and competed in doubles to determine the competition’s high shooter placings. In addition to his team honors, Lee will also receive a medal for winning second highest individual shooter at the match for the junior division.
Emanuel County 4-H would like to thank its volunteers who have donated hundreds of hours of service to coach this year’s team. Without Chris and Pam Akridge, Brandi and Ed Akridge, Becky Amerson, Joey Amerson, Cade Bennett, Chesley Dixon, Mitchell Fagler, and Brad and T’Neil Williams, a modified trap program of this quality would not be possible.
The program is open to 7th through 12th grade students in Emanuel County who are enrolled in the 4-H Program.
Modified trap, a program open to students in grades seven through 12 enrolled in the 4-H program, gives 25 clay targets to participants, who must hit them from a single thrower. All 4-H’ers are coached by volunteer leaders from the 4-H program who are certified instructors. The modified trap program is coordinated by Becky Amerson. Emanuel County 4-H had 39 total 4-H’ers in grades seven through 12 participating in the Project S.A.F.E. Modified Trap program for the 2021 year.
Seventh and eighth grade 4-H’ers on the team were: Jake Adams, Ethan Akridge, Madison Bell, Natalee Brown, Brody Fagler, Revan Fortner, Gage Gay, Jay Johnson, Hunter Lane, Spencer Lawrence, Peyton Lee, Landon Lindsey, Jacob McBride, Sean Wilkerson, Cooper Riner, Maddox Roberts, Lauren Sapp, and Will Snellgrove.
Team members from grades nine through 12 included: Ben Bennett, Jacob Fagler, Gavin Gay, Luke Lariscey, Mason Simmons, Hunter Bishop, Slade Hicks, River Hooks, Samuel McBride, Chloe Mulrooney, Garrett Peebles, Evan Rogers, Shanna Wilkerson, Jack Williams, Hoage Reynolds, Marshall Amerson, Conner Bell, Austin Eubanks, Lexie Hammond, Ridge Henry, and Grace McBride.
4-H provides fun, exciting, and educational events year-round for youth in grades four through 12. For more information about Emanuel County 4-H and how to get involved as a member, volunteer, or sponsor, contact the Emanuel County Extension Office at 478-237-1226.