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2026 Missouri 4-H State Shooting Sports team and coaches.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Thirty-six Missouri 4-H members competed at the highest level at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships, June 21-26 in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The event boasted a record-breaking number of participants: 767 athletes from 42 states competing in nine disciplines.
There were 27 events in nine discipline areas – compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, small bore (.22) rifle, small bore (.22) pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading and hunting and outdoor skills. This is National 4-H Shooting Sports’ premier event for youth, said Jim Sappington, University of Missouri Extension 4-H shooting sports senior program coordinator.
Each state can send up to nine teams to compete, with a maximum of 36 youths representing each state.
Missouri counties represented include Boone, Caldwell, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Dent, Gasconade, Jasper, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Randolph, Ray, St. Charles, Texas and Webster.
Three of nine Missouri teams placed in the top five overall. Five Missouri competitors placed as top 10 overall individuals.
2026 teams and placings
Muzzleloading: Leland DeWitt (ninth place overall), Grace Day, James Black, Silas O’Dell, Coach Rusty Howard.
Small bore pistol (third place team): Warner Wright (second place overall), Boaz Grimstead, Alden Meyer, Joe Wright, Coach Chesly Manning.
Recurve archery: Jaecy Heisey, Chole Beal, Abby Gann, Noelle Powell; Coach Amy Hoerrmann.
Hunting and outdoor skills (fifth place team): Jackson Schnieders, Garrett Mason, Dewey Dowdey, Isabella Hamlin; Coach Bill Athey.
Air pistol (third place team): Alivia Tiemeyer (fourth place overall), Daniel DeWitt (seventh place overall), Tyler Sandbothe, Kooper Hall; Coach Bob McCollum.
Small bore rifle: Delainey Guardiola-Ellis, Zoe Beal, Sophia Sandbothe, Abigal Austin; Coach Mike Breshears.
Shotgun: Owen Wyatt (eighth place overall), Trent Henke, Chesney Warner, Jocelynn Newell; Coach Kurt Conger.
Air rifle: Jenna Weiss, Logan Kaibel, Ben Hall, Jason Day; Coach Brad Howard
Compound archery: Ryan Wells, Wesley Harris, Case Hoskins, Maddie Boenker; Coach Jim Sappington.
Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Shooting Sports and Natural Resources programs is provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with American Outdoor Brands, the MidwayUSA Foundation, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the NRA Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Starline Brass, Academy Sports, and Larry and Brenda Potterfield.
About Missouri 4-H
Missouri 4-H grows today’s youth and prepares tomorrow’s leaders. With a blend of time-tested traditions and innovative hands-on learning, Missouri youth explore and find their spark in programs ranging from agriculture and conservation to aerospace and career development. Through clubs, programs, camps, in-school and after-school experiences, University of Missouri Extension faculty, staff and thousands of volunteers guide youth in developing essential skills, building confidence and fostering connections. Together, they inspire young people to make a real difference in their communities, their country and the world.
