Butler County 4-H Shooting Sports represented with State Champions
2024-Ky-State-Champions-Blake-Deweese-Brennan-Smith-Carson-Cardwell-Not-pictured-Silas-Ward-Silas-Webster.
By Greg Moore
Banner Sports Editor
Butler County has been participating in 4-H shooting sports at the state level since 1987. In previous years they have brought home state champion titles in pistol and air pistol. As far as the trap team goes, in 2021 the group finished 3rd in the 15-18 age group at state. In 2022, they would finish 2nd in the 15-18 age group at state. Well, as they say, the monkey is off their backs, as the team brought home the State Championship Title in the 100-clay target, 12-14 year old age group.
The five shooters that made up the team are as follows: Blake Deweese, Carson Cardwell, Brennan Smith, Silas Ward and Silas Webster. William Jared is also on the 12-14 age team but the top five scores make up the team score for the event. Our 15-18 year old age group team members are Mason Johnson, Dalton Hale, Cayden Southerland, Jacob Portman and Hunter Glenn.
Mason Johnson brought home 2nd place individual in the 100-clay target, 15-18 age group with a score of 99/100. He won a shoot off for the tie breaker. Blake Deweese also brought home 2nd place individual in the 100-clay target, 12-14 year old age group with a score of 99/100. On Saturday, Cayden Southerland managed a 3rd place individual in .22 pistol. Only one point separated the top 3 positions.
“These young men have worked their tails off this year. They have shot thousands of rounds this year during practice and competing at other counties. Special thanks to all the parent volunteers and coaches for all their time spent with these athletes,” exclaimed Coach John Ross Webster.
The state competition was held at Central Kentucky Gun Club in Berea, Ky. Saturday’s competitions consisted of archery, air rifle, .22 pistol, BB, and black powder events; whereas, Sunday was trap shooting only.
Shooting sports are at an all-time high for Butler County athletics. The 4-H Club along with the BCHS Trap team and Archery teams from the BC Schools are some of the best in the state; and they continue to build in numbers. While practice and competition continue for these teams, expect more great things to come from these athletes.
