The Blanco County 4-H Shooting Education BB Gun Team competed at the International BB Gun Championship Match (IBBGCM) held July 3-5, 2009, at the Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The event, sponsored by Daisy, has become a tradition of excellence in shooting sports. The team consisted of Chelsea Dowdy, Ryan Sultemeier, Layne Lassberg, Cliff Jones, Colton Barrow, Caleb Dowdy, and Ross Sultemeier. The coach for the team was Gordon Dowdy. This talented group of marksmen placed 23rd out of 42 experienced teams from around the United States and beyond. This is the first time Blanco County has had a team qualify for this high level of competition in this sport and the team was very excited and honored to represent Blanco County and the State of Texas.

Team members shoot in four positions with a Daisy Model 499 Champion gun a distance of 5 meters at paper targets. Team and individual competition was close and very challenging. Along with four positions of shooting, the competitors also take a 50-question written test, consisting of 25 questions from Daisy’s 10 Lesson Curriculum Guide and 25 questions from the NRA Yellow BB Gun Official Rule Book.

The team and their families worked very hard to raise funds to be able to travel to this competition. They appreciate everyone who came out and supported them at the Fish Fry held on June 7. A special “Thank You” goes to Johnson City Hydro Gas for the use of their location for the Fish Fry and to Super S for the use of their facilities for the Bake Sale, held on June 14. We are grateful for Melvin Sultemeier and his “fish frying crew” of Melvin Moreland, Tammy Marrs, Bubba Moeller, Jerry Sultemeier, and Wade Wagner. Both the Fish Fry and Bake Sale were a success. The team and their families were very appreciative to all who donated funds to the account set up at the Johnson City Bank. They could not have traveled that far and participated in this competition without the support and monetary contributions that they received. Blanco County folks are by far the best people and do an excellent job supporting the kids in the county for whatever activity it may be. You should be very proud of this awesome group of shooters!