4-H Shooting Sports National Championships Coming to Grand Island

June 11, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. — Nebraska 4-H will host the 2015 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships June 21-26 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park, 6788 W. Husker Highway, and Heartland Events Center, 700 E. Stolley Park Road, in Grand Island.

The event will involve more than 550 4-H youth, ages 14-18, from across the nation competing in one of nine disciplines.

"This is the major competition in the country for 4-H shooting sports youth," said Steve Pritchard, Nebraska Extension educator and coordinator of Nebraska's 4-H shooting sports program. 

Fifty-four national 4-H champions, both individuals and teams, will be named during the competition.

The 27 events in the nine discipline areas include compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading and hunting skills.

States can send up to nine teams to compete, with a maximum of 36 youth representing their state 4-H shooting sports program. About 1,600 people are expected to attend the event, including competitors, coaches and spectators. More than 125 volunteers from Nebraska and other states help conduct the events.

"It's like a family reunion when the volunteers return to the national championships," Pritchard said. "Many have assisted several years to help out with the various events being conducted at nationals. They really look forward to seeing their shooting friends."

The free event is open to the public. For more information, visit http://4h.unl.edu/4hssnationalchamp.