4-H’ers Compete in National Shooting Sports Competition
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
A group of Oklahoma 4-H’ers and volunteers were among representatives from 40 states participating in the 2025 Shooting Sport National Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Oklahoma’s delegation was 45 members strong, including 36 club members and nine volunteers, said Ruth Pratt, Oklahoma State University Extension specialist and statewide coordinator for the Oklahoma 4-H shooting sports program.
“This is the major shooting sports competition in the nation,” Pratt said. “Our 4-H members work hard and set goals year after year to be a part of the National 4-H Shooting Sports team. We send the top four participants from our qualifying contests to the national competition, where they compete against the best youth from around the country. We’d set a goal of being able to take a full team of 36, and we were able to meet that goal in the qualification events.”
In all, 740 youth, ages 14-18, from 40 states participated in the competition. As a team, Oklahoma placed eighth. The shotgun-trap team placed first, and the shotgun team placed fifth.
“Our delegates had a full schedule while in Nebraska competing, and they learned so much and had a chance to make new friends,” she said. “I’m so proud of them and their hard work to make it to this national competition.”
As with other 4-H clubs and teams, human growth and development is the primary focus of the Oklahoma 4-H shooting sports program. Participants can use the life skills they’ve learned in all areas of life.
“All of our shooting sports coaches are certified and go through extensive training to prepare them for introducing safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment to Oklahoma youth,” Pratt said. “These leaders also help instill self-discipline, sportsmanship, ethical behavior and an appreciation for the outdoors.”
Contact Pratt at (405) 744-8886 or ruth.pratt@okstate.edu to learn more about the 4-H Shooting Sports program.
“It’s all about education, positive youth development, working with caring adult volunteers and having fun,” she said.