Decatur County 4-H’ers took aim at the Georgia 4-H Archery Compound Championship held May 4-5, 2012 during the 4-H Target Challenge Weekend at Rock Eagle 4-H Center.  Decatur County 4-H’ers competed against 641 other 4-H’ers from across the state. 

Decatur County 4-H Archery Team Cloverleaf members competing in the State 4-H Archery Competition at Rock Eagle 4-H Center were: front left to right: Miles Green, Jackson Conley, Brannon Fagan. Middle row: Perry Birdsong, Bryson Arthur, Calen Greene, John Willis Maples, Devin Morris, Dillon Horne. Back row: Coach Rick Landeen, Coach Lee Birdsong, Coach Michael Padgett. The Cloverleaf division consists of 4-H’ers from 5th and 6th grade.

Decatur County 4-H Archery Team Junior and Senior members competing in the State 4-H Archery Competition were: front row left to right; Coach Dorislynn Padgett, Chason Webster, Savannah Padgett, Luke McConnell, Townsend Livingston, Coach Stephanie Landeen. Back row: Stennes Austinson, Matthew Green, Kameron Landeen, Christopher Webster, Coach Michael Padgett.

The Junior Team is comprised of 4-H’ers from 7th and 8th grade.  Members of the Junior Team included:  Matthew Green, Townsend Livingston, Luke McConnell, Savannah Padgett,and Chason Webster.

Stennes Austinson, Mason Birdsong, Kameron Landeen, and Christopher Webster competed in the senior competition.  The senior division consists of 4-H’ers in 9th through 12th grade.    Senior team members were awarded 6th place honors and Stennes Austinson was named 9th overall high senior individual.

Team members have been diligently practicing twice a week since November in preparation for the state contest under the guidance of volunteer instructional coaches Rick Landeen, Michael Padgett, and Lee Birdsong.  This opportunity would not be possible without the dedication and hard-work of the coaches.

On April 21st team members also participated in the Mitchell County 4-H Archery Competition.  Devin Morris was named 1st high cloverleaf individual and Stennes Austinson was named 1st high senior individual.   Other team members included:  Chason Webster, Christopher Webster, Kameron Landeen, Britt Jones, Jake Jones, Luke Jones, Haydn Griffin, John Willis Maples, and Bryson Arthur. 

The 4-H Archery Program is a part of the Georgia 4-H Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education Program (S.A.F.E.).  Teamwork, cooperation, self-responsibility, and character are among the many life skills gained by participating in the S.A.F.E program.  The Georgia 4-H Foundation sponsors the program.  4-H is the youth program of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.  For more information about Decatur County 4-H, please contact the Decatur County Extension Office at 229-248-3033.