Special to The Post-Searchlight

The Decatur County 4-H shotgun team competed in the Georgia 4-H Modified Trap Competition on May 10-11, with the senior team finishing sixth in the state. The competition was held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton, Ga.

Shooters had to qualify in order to compete in this competition — Senior Shooters (ninth through 12th graders) had to break 20 out of 25 targets and Junior Shooters (seventh and eighth graders) had to break 16 out of 25 targets in order to qualify. This state competition included numerous counties from around the state, with more than 1,200 qualified shooters.

The Decatur County 4-H senior team placed sixth in the state. This is an honor that the shotgun team in Decatur County has never achieved before. Members of the senior team were Tyler Allen, Colby Boyett, Brenden Greene, Jacob Hall, Ryan Jordan, Chason Phillips, Daniel Poitevint and Spencer Shreves.

Junior team members also competing in the state competition were Nicholas Boyett, Matthew Boyett, Blake Daughtry, Kyle Funderburke, Carlton Lynn and Luke McConnell.

Team members have been practicing diligently each week since February, under the guidance of dedicated volunteer coaches. Coaches for the Decatur County 4-H shotgun team include Joe McGlincy, Gary Phillips and Mitchell May from Decatur County Extension.

The Georgia 4-H Shooting Awareness, Fun, and Education Program (S.A.F.E) is sponsored by The Georgia 4-H Foundation. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. For more information about Decatur County 4-H, call the Decatur County Extension Office at (229) 248-3033.