The 2023 Emanuel County 4-H Project S.A.F.E. Modified Trap team wrapped up their season during the State 4-H Modified Trap Match on Saturday, May 13. Emanuel County 4-H’ers participated in three levels of competition: the local Randy Fagler Memorial County Match, Southeast District 4-H qualifiers, and the State 4-H Modified Trap match in Eatonton, GA. The program is open to sixth through twelfth grade students in Emanuel County who are enrolled in the 4-H Program.
4-H’ers in the modified trap contest are given 25 clay targets they must hit from a single thrower. All 4-H’ers are coached by volunteer leaders from the 4-H program who are certified instructors. The Modified Trap program is coordinated by 4-H volunteers Ed and Brandi Akridge. Emanuel County 4-H had 44 total sixth through twelfth grade 4-H’ers participating in the Project SAFE Modified Trap program for the 2023 year.
Sixth through eighth grade 4-H’ers on the Modified Trap Team were: Levi Bishop, Noah Brantley, Sam Lawrence, Bowen Ware, Amelia Grace Clements, Nathaniel Harry, Hanley Moorman, Robert Reynolds, Tate Torpy, Judson Underwood, Eli Way, Hagan Way, Hagan Brown, Aaden Cumbee, Paxton Dixon, Randon Durden, Gage Johnson, Gunner Johnson, and Sam Williams.
Ninth through Twelfth grade 4-H Modified Trap members were: Bryan Beasley, Richard Braddy, Brody Fagler, Lillian Hammond, Landon Lindsey, Kristen Mulrooney, Jake Palmer, Cooper Riner, Maddox Robertson, Lauren Sapp, Olivia Boatright, Natalee Brown, Spencer Lawrence, Peyton Lee, Jacob Mcbride, Sean Wilkerson, Ben Bennett, Jacob Fagler, Luke Lariscey, Kason Palmer, Samuel McBride, Chloe Mulrooney, Garrett Peebles, Shanna Wilkerson, and Jack Williams.
The Southeast District qualifier was held on Saturday, April 22 at Bay Gall Sporting Clays. At the district match, 26 of the youth shooters qualified for state competition and two junior teams placed in the contest. The team made up of Sam Williams, Gunner Johnson, Judson Underwood, Aaden Cumbee, and Paxton Dixon placed first in the junior division. The team made up of Sam Lawrence, Gage Johnson, Eli Way, Hanley Moorman, and Brett Way placed third. Judson Underwood was third place individual in the junior division.
The Randy Fagler Memorial County Match was held on Sunday, April 30. The following 4-H’ers were recognized as top shooters for their grade level: 6th Grade Noah Brantley, 7th grade Amelia Grace Clements; 8th grade Gunner Johnson; 9th grade Landon Lindsey; 10th grade Peyton Lee; 11th grade Luke Lariscey; 12th grade Garrett Peebles. Overall top shooter awards went to Senior Female Chloe Mulrooney; Senior Overall Luke Lariscey; Junior Female Amelia Grace Clements; and Junior Overall Gunner Johnson. Luke Lariscey shot a perfect score of 25.
The state competition was held on Saturday, May 13 in Eatonton, GA, and Emanuel County was represented by 25 4-H’ers. Shooters are grouped by age to form teams of five. Garrett Peebles and Peyton Lee both shot a perfect score of 25.
Emanuel County 4-H would like to thank its volunteers who have donated hundreds of hours of service to coach this year’s team. Without Brandi and Ed Akridge, Becky Amerson, Joey Amerson, Cade Bennett, Chesley Dixon, Senaca Lawrence, Mitchell Fagler, and Brad and T’Neil Williams, a program of this quality would not be possible.
4-H provides fun, exciting, and educational events year-round for youth in 4th-12th grade. For more information about Emanuel County 4-H and how you can get involved as a member, volunteer, or sponsor, contact Jakyn Tyson at the Emanuel County Extension Office at (478) 237-1226.
