West-Central Illinois 4-H members earn top honors at state shooting sports competitions

Youth from Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler County 4-H programs recently demonstrated
their marksmanship skills at the 2026 Illinois 4-H State Shooting Sports competitions, earning a state
championship and several top finishes against competitors from across Illinois.
A total of 167 Illinois 4-H members participated in statewide competitions in archery, rifle, pistol, and
shotgun disciplines. The events provide an opportunity for youth to measure progress toward personal
goals while developing sportsmanship, responsibility, and friendships with fellow 4-H members from
across the state.
West-central Illinois participants found success at the Illinois 4-H State Archery Tournament, held Sept.
19 at Pekin Archers in Pekin.
In the Senior Recurve Division, Grace Glasgow of Brown-Schuyler 4-H captured the state championship,
earning first place overall. Fellow Brown-Schuyler 4-H member Jake Glasgow placed fourth overall in the
Senior Compound Division, while Kirkland Bergman of Pike County 4-H finished fifth overall in the same
division.
Several local youth also represented their counties at the Illinois 4-H State Trap Shooting Competition,
held Sept. 26 at Brittany Shooting Park near Bunker Hill.
Natalie Blackorby of Adams County 4-H earned a top-10 finish, placing seventh overall in the state trap
shooting competition. Other Adams County participants included Cole Liesen, Kinley Lummer, Grady
Norsworthy, and Jacob Liesen. Jared DiPirima represented Hancock County 4-H in the state competition.
Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports helps youth develop confidence, discipline, leadership, and responsibility
through a positive youth development experience centered on safety, personal growth, and goal setting.
Volunteer leaders play a key role in mentoring participants and helping youth build skills both on and off
the range.
These competitions are about much more than scores, said Jennifer Shelts, 4-H Program Coordinator.
Youth spend months practicing, setting goals, learning safe firearm and archery skills, and supporting

one another. We are proud of the accomplishments and sportsmanship demonstrated by all of our
participants.;
For more information about Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports and local 4-H opportunities, visit
extension.illinois.edu/abhps.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois
Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond
Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build
confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science.
Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40%
more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more
likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next
generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
About Extension: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge,
and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's
land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102
Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s
mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and
agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served
through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and
economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural
resources, environment, and energy.
CONTACT: Jennifer Shelts, Illinois Extension, 4-H Program Coordinator, jshelts@illinois.edu