Members of the Clatsop County 4-H shooting sports team, Clatsop Claybusters, participated for the first time in the 2016 4-H competition at the Albany Rifle and Pistol Club June 20-22.

After practicing since October, the Clatsop County 4-H shooting sports team, Clatsop Claybusters, participated for the first time in the 2016 4-H competition at the Albany Rifle and Pistol Club June 20-22. 

All youth who participated in the mail-in-tournament January through March qualified to compete at the state competition, which included shooting one round of trap from 16 yards, and one round of five stand. The team had competitors in all age divisions. 

On June 20, senior division members Andrew and Aaron Hollenbeck competed. Aaron received a blue ribbon in trap by breaking 23 of 25 targets and a red ribbon in five stand. Andrew received a red ribbon in trap and white ribbon in five stand. 

The largest group, the intermediates, competed June 21. Alyssa Hollenbeck received white ribbons in both trap and five stand; Kory Constantine received red ribbons in both trap and five stand; and Andrew Pedersen received a red ribbon in trap and a white ribbon in five stand. 

To top the day off, Michael Williams received blue ribbons in both trap and five stand, breaking 23 out of 25 targets in trap. He earned Overall Champion, High Point and a Sportsmanship Award, and was appointed to the state team to compete in the 4-H national competition in June 2017 in Grand Island, Nebraska.   

The junior division took to the field June 22, and both Alex Bond and Isaiah Rodriguez received white ribbons in trap and five stand. Charlie Williams broke 23 of 25 targets and received a blue ribbon in trap, a red ribbon in five stand, and was Overall Champion and High Point in trap. 

Among those supporting the team are the Oregon Hunters Association, Clatsop County Chapter, BKS Sportsmen Club, Alan Johnson, Allan Schumacher and John and Kristen Webb.

Clatsop Claybusters is always interested in new members, and the 4-H year starts in October. Those interested in learning responsible gun handling and firearm safety, while having fun shooting shotgun or rifles, should contact the 4-H extension office at 503-325-8573.