A team of eight 4-H youth went to the Arizona shooting championships in mid-February, representing the 4-H Gila County Top Gun Shooting Club. They traveled to the competitions in Phoenix and Casa Grande primarily to gain experience – but as club leader Carol Ptak said, they had other ideas.

These eight – four seniors, two juniors and two intermediates – returned with nine of the event’s 18 medals, including two championship buckles. Not only that, but all four seniors qualified for Arizona’s national team, which will compete in the 4-H Nationals Match this summer – not a bad showing for a club that has only been around since June 2022, and a team that went to the Valley with borrowed rifles and pistols.

The seniors – Chantel Jordan, Sierra Orosco, AJ Schaible and Tristan Vance – will travel to Grand Island, Nebraska for the June 25-30, 2023 nationals. Jordan and Schaible qualified in both air pistol and air rifle, and will compete in the latter; Orosco qualified in pistol, and Vance in air pistol. Hadley DalMolin and Alden Vance both earned championship buckles. In addition, DalMolin brought home three medals; Schaible and Ryker Haas each earned two, and Jordan and Katy Orosco one apiece.

Ptak, who chose the eight team members, had expected it would take two to three years for the club to become a competitive team, so their February performance came as a surprise to all. “I think they were very surprised, finding out they were competitive at the state level,” she said. “They have just improved so much.” She added that the team members had good attitudes and were encouraged by their success.

Ptak said Top Gun Shooting Club has grown from 14 participants to 35 this year because of dedicated adult leaders who stepped forward to volunteer. It is open to youth ages 8 to 18. “Shooting sports can be gratifying for youngsters, especially those who aren’t athletes,” she said. “The program provides a supportive environment in which young people can experience hands-on, fun learning experiences.”

Adult volunteers have had a background check, and become qualified shooting sports instructors through training in state workshops; 4-H teen leaders who become certified may also assist with instruction.

The club’s next goal is to raise $14,000 for equipment and travel expenses, for the trip to nationals. They got a boost toward that goal on April 12, when the Globe Rotary Club presented Top Gun with checks for $1,000 and $250; also contributing $1,000 that day was the Globe-Miami Area Memorial Foundation.