Two from Elkhorn place in top three in state
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
Three area youth from the Walworth County 4-H Shooting Sports Program placed among the top of their fellow competitors back in February when they competed in the American Legion Postal Shoot.
Fin Weber, of Elkhorn, placed third in the intermediate category with a score of 229-3 and Emma Robers, of Elkhorn, scored 135-0, earning her a tie for second place in the beginner category with Nathan Schmafeldt, of Burlington. A total of 19 competitors from Walworth County shot three-position rifle; standing, kneeling and lying down, or prone position.
According to 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Chelsea Dertz, from the University of Wisconsin-Extension, this year marked the second time Walworth County 4-H has participated in the annual competitive shoot.
In an email, she said each youth shot at a special target with a barcode, which was specific to each individual shooter and their scores, allowing Walworth County to host the shoot here and submit scores to the American Legion and compare them with youth shooters statewide.
Weber, who has been shooting for about a year and a half, said he enjoys shooting because it’s calming, fun and seems like a competitive sport he could stick with for years to come.
“It seems like I could take it all the way to the Olympics,” he said.
Having taken third in this year’s competition, Weber said it’s something he’s put a lot of work into, practicing about three times a week and prior to every competition.
With competition shooting, Weber said everything is timed, and while he never used to practice with a timer, it’s something he’s added into his practice schedule to keep him at the top of his game. He said in competition, shooters are given ten minutes to make ten shots.
Through the 4-H program, Weber said he uses a Crosman Challenger air rifle, which shoots a .177 caliber pellet, good for precision shooting in sport and competitions.
Scott Weber, Fin Weber’s father, said being the third ranked shooter in Wisconsin at his age is kind of a big deal for Fin.
“He’s kind of a rockstar right now, which is kind of cool,” he said.
Scott Weber said the sport has really taken ahold of his son and he sees it not only as a great father and son bonding opportunity, but something his son will enjoy for years to come.
“He’ll take it all the way to the end,” he said.
4-H shooting program
According to Scott Weber, the Walworth County Shooting Sports Program currently has about 203 kids involved and has spawned opportunities in the past for former 4-H members, such as Quentin Kauffman who won a national championship for air pistol and received a scholarship to Ohio State University for his talents.
For more information about Walworth County 4-H, contact the Walworth County University of Wisconsin-Extension office at (262) 741-4951 or visit walworth.uwex.edu.
