The 4-H Shooting Sports Program is a youth development education program, which uses a prevention education model that strongly emphasizes positive youth-adult interaction and peer leadership. It uses skills and disciplines of safe shooting and conservation to assist young people and their leaders in attaining knowledge and developing essential life skills. This program focuses on teaching youth ages 8-18 in NC about firearm safety, safe and responsible use of firearms and marksmanship. Youth participating in this program have the opportunity to compete at the district in State level in the disciplines of Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Shotgun, Rifle, Archery and Small Bore Pistol.

The North Carolina 4-H State Shooting Sports Tournament took place on Saturday, October 4th in Ellerbe, NC. Over 600 4-H'ers from across North Caroline came together to compete. Twenty nine youth from our Sandy Mush 4-H Club in Buncombe County competed at the tournament. Congratulations to each of these youth for their hard work this season! Below are the results from the tournament for Buncombe County youth.

Junior (8-13)

Shotgun - 2nd Place Team: Andrew Gillespie, Ethan Cox, Jake Rymer, Libby Bryant

Rifle - Open Sight Class - 2nd Place Team: Andrew Gillespie, Ethan Cox, Jake Rymer, Libby Bryant

Rifle - Telescopic Class -

2nd Place Team: Andrew Gillespie, Ethan Cox, Jake Rymer, Libby Bryant

3rd Place Individual Overall: Libby Bryant

Senior (14-18)

Shotgun- 3rd Place Team: Abby Greene, Luke Rymer, Tyler WilliamsRifle - Open Sight Class - 

1st Place Team: Abby Greene, Luke Rymer, Tyler Williams

3rd Place Team: Anna Reeves, Ayden Plemmons, Paul Banks

Rifle - Telescopic Class - 2nd Place Team: Anna Reeves, Ayden Plemmons, Paul Banks

Air Rifle - 3rd Place Team: Abby Greene, Luke Rymer, Tyler Williams