Members of the Decatur County 4-H Archery team participated in the Georgia 4-H State Indoor Archery Match at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry on January 17, 2026. Over 700 archers from across Georgia participated in the event.
Decatur County 4-H Cloverleaf team members (4th-6th grades) competing were Bentley Simpson, Alex Villegas, Jax Dollar, Isabella Alvarez, Peter Alvarez, and Hunter Blanton. Mason Burke competed as a Junior member (7th-8th grade) and Gavin Hughes and Gunnar McNair competed on the Senior level (9th-12th grade). Decatur County 4-H was well represented by these archers. Hunter Blanton was the 5th High Cloverleaf Compound shooter out of 172 archers.
The State 4-H Event consists of a 330 round with 30 arrows shot in 10 ends of 3 arrows at a distance of 18 meters. Participants have 2 minutes to shoot each three-arrow end. Team members have been practicing weekly since November 2025 in preparation for the state contest. This opportunity would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of volunteer coaches. The 2025-26 coaches include head coach Charles Wiggins, Sam Hughes, Danny Moore, and Ray Dodson. Archery team members Luke Clements and Kenan Reffitt were unable to attend the event.
Additionally, team members Isabella Alvarez, Alex Villegas, Peter Alvarez, Jax Dollar, Gunnar McNair, Mason Burke, Kenan Reffitt, Gavin Hughes, and Hunter Blanton participated in the Early County Indoor Archery Tournament on January 10, 2026. Hunter Blanton earned 1st place honors in the Cloverleaf (4th-6th grade) division.
The 4-H Archery Program is a part of the Georgia 4-H Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education Program (S.A.F.E.). Project S.A.F.E. is an active program, attractive to youth and adult audiences. The program is curriculum-based and designed to assist young people in personal development, establish a personal environmental ethic, and explore lifelong vocational and avocational activities. The program uses experiential learning and positive interactions with youth and adult role models to help young people develop self-concept, self-assurance, and a positive self-image. Teamwork, cooperation, self-responsibility, and character are among the many life skills gained by participating in the S.A.F.E program which is sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation.
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.
Georgia 4-H State Indoor Archery Match participants from Decatur County 4-H
Front Row L-R: Jax Dollar, Bentley Simpson, Peter Alvarez, Gavin Hughes
Middle Row L-R: Gunnar McNair, Isabella Alvarez, Alex Villegas, Coach Sam Hughes, Coach Danny Moore
Back row L-R: Mason Burke, Coach Ray Dodson, Coach Charles Wiggins, Hunter Blanton
