Ellysa Harris: 4-H Shooting Sports Club celebrates recent contest results

Members of the Running Water Draw 4-H Shooting Sports Club have had much to celebrate in recent weeks.

The club is well into its summer activities, having competed twice so far and ending their contests with shiny belt buckles.

Staci Barrett, a parent-volunteer with the club, said the team has been working hard for every recognition.

Shooting sports encompass a variety of disciplines. Participating 4-H members can learn about rifles, shotguns, pistols, archery, hunting and wildlife or muzzleloading/black power, according to the Texas 4-H shooting sports webpage. Training includes learning about safety and ammunition.

"Archery is the biggest one," Barrett said, later adding that 52 Hale County 4-H members participate in archery.

While shooting sports are not a year-round 4-H activity, Hale County members who participate put in two, maybe three practices each week when it's in season, noted Barret, who has two kids currently involved in the club.

Recently, the team participated in the District 2 4-H Pete Peterson Invitational Trap Competition. Caleb Williamson, a competitor in the senior 1 age division, returned with a belt buckle for finishing in first place.

He wasn't the only one who came home with a buckle. Khord Spann, Kleat Barrett, Colson Pate also earned buckles in their divisions.

The team has another competition scheduled this weekend.

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