Shooting Competition
Iowa 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition
Iowa 4-H Youth Showcase Shooting Skills at State Championship
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Searsboro, Iowa
Over 130 youth shooters from 22 counties gathered at the 2025 Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports State Competition, held on August 23 at Brownells Big Springs Shooting Complex in Searsboro. The event brought together youth from across the state, competing in six disciplines: archery, air rifle, shotgun, smallbore rifle, muzzleloader, and wildlife. This annual event provides young shooters with an opportunity to develop their skills and demonstrate their proficiency in a range of shooting sports. Each participant had the chance to showcase their discipline, earning awards that reflect their hard work and dedication to the sport. The competition featured a wide range of categories, from Genesis archery to recurve, smallbore rifle, and even muzzleloader. Participants competed across three divisions: Junior (grades 4-6), Intermediate (grades 7-8), and Senior (grades 9-12), showcasing their shooting and handling skills. Some of the top performers in each discipline were invited to participate in the upcoming 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in 2026, providing a platform for these young athletes to compete at an even higher level. The Iowa 4-H Shooting Sports program has been instrumental in providing youth with opportunities to safely and responsibly engage with firearms. The competition not only tests their skills in shooting but also emphasizes the importance of safety and responsible gun ownership. Participants exhibited discipline and focus as they faced the challenges of each shooting event, showing that the program is fostering the next generation of responsible sportsmen and sportswomen. The youth involved in these events are taught not just to excel at their sport but also to prioritize safety, ethics, and responsibility in their practice. In archery, competitors in both Genesis and recurve categories showcased their precision and focus. Junior shooters like Corah Cook from Madison County and Brayden Rundell from Washington County displayed impressive form, earning top places in their respective divisions. The Junior Divisions standout performers included Cameron Camp from Hamilton County, who placed first in the Junior Shotgun category, and Isabelle Henderson, who earned top honors in Senior Archery. Their success demonstrated the importance of early training and consistent practice in fostering excellence in the sport. Air rifle events also brought fierce competition, with Mattie Haines from East Pottawattamie County emerging as the top Senior division air rifle shooter. Haines performance was a testament to her dedication to precision shooting, a skill that requires not just focus but also an understanding of the mechanics behind the sport. As the competition continued, other top shooters like Hudson Kirby, who secured a spot in the Senior Air Rifle division, displayed incredible skill and poise under pressure. The event also featured shotgun events, where competitors such as Nile Smith from Poweshiek County demonstrated skill in both trap and skeet shooting. The Senior Division was highly competitive, with Makayla Staples of Humboldt County winning first place in the shotgun category, followed by Weston Vik, who earned second place. Their ability to handle various shotguns with precision highlighted the skill and concentration required in shooting sports. In addition to individual achievements, the event also featured the camaraderie and sportsmanship that defines the 4-H program. As the competition came to a close, participants celebrated their achievements, while many expressed excitement for the opportunity to represent Iowa at the national level in 2026. These events not only help improve individual skills but also foster a sense of teamwork and mutual respect among young athletes. This competitive spirit encourages participants to push their limits while adhering to a strict code of ethics. One unique feature of this years event was the partnership with the Nebraska and Western Iowa VA Suicide Prevention Program. The program donated 200 gun cable locks and offered crucial information about suicide awareness, prevention, and the importance of safe gun storage. This added educational element highlighted the broader mission of 4-H to teach youth not only shooting sports but also important life skills. By integrating this aspect of firearm safety and awareness into the competition, the 4-H program helped create a balanced environment where both skill and responsibility are emphasized. The events success was made possible through the generous support of sponsors like Brownells, the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and local community partners. Their backing allows the 4-H Shooting Sports program to continue thriving and providing youth with meaningful, impactful experiences. The competition is a prime example of how shooting sports can be a platform for personal growth and development, giving young athletes the opportunity to build skills that last a lifetime.