A team of young marksmen from Blanco County is gearing up for National Competition after placing third at the 2011 Texas State 4-H BB Gun Championships held in Fredericksburg, TX on March 12, 2011.

The competition included 12 teams as well as several individuals from throughout the state of Texas.

Three teams and four individuals from the Blanco County 4-H Shooting Sports proved their ability at this match. They include: Team #1 – Caleb Dowdy, Brenna Wallace, Ross Sultemeier, Darren Sultemeier, Ashtyn Portie, and Alyssa Wheeler. Qualifying for Team #1 but unable to attend was Jordan Wheeler. Team #2 – Jayme Mowery, Brinley Portie, Quaid Thompson, Alexis Crochet, Zane Bible, Jenna Vasquez, and Ellie Park. Hugh Galloway, Cheyenne Klein, Chace Klein, and Gavin Thompson completed the group by competing as individuals. The group had special team shirts made up this year to honor the late Slater Sultemeier who was one of the previous shooters.

Because of receiving the Bronze Trophy, this Blanco County 4-H group will take a team to the national contest which will be in Rogers, Arkansas over the July 4th weekend.

The competition consisted of a written test followed by the actual shooting in four positions which included prone, standing, sitting, and kneeling. The competition was sanctioned by the National Rifle Association and sponsored by the Texas State Rifle Association.

Heading up this talented group is the Blanco County 4-H Shooting Sports instructor Gordon Dowdy. Assisting Mr. Dowdy as coaches were Shannon Sultemeier, Shelby Sultemeier, Kaiser Birck, and Will Wallace. Also assisting was former national competitor Chelsea Dowdy.

Keep an eye out for these talented shooters around the county. They will be hosting several fund raisers to earn money for the travel expenses to the National Competition. Please come out and support our youth who will be proudly representing Blanco County!