4-H Team competes at Junior Olympics

Four 4-H youth from Livermore and Wellington will represent Colorado at the National Junior Olympic air rifle championship in Kentucky this month.

At ages 11 to 16, they are younger than many of the competitors at the July 7 through 11 event. Junior Olympic competition is open to 4-H, Junior ROTC, American Legion, private rifle clubs and others through high school age.

Representing Colorado are three members of the Livermore Wranglers and one member of the Buckeye Buck'n'Ears. They are Conlan McGough, 11; Scott Franz, 14; Ryann McGough, 15; and Ryan Kiefer, 16. Coached by Byron McGough of Livermore, the team will be competing in the sporter division in Bowling Green.

McGough said the team was formed out of top shooters from matches held among 4-H members with air rifle projects. Shooting sports, he noted, is the largest 4-H project in the county with more than 500 youth involved. There are six disciplines from which to choose: air rifle, .22 caliber, muzzleloader, air pistol, shotgun and archery.

In addition to coaching 4-H members, McGough teaches hunter education, he's a certified National Rifle Association International coach and he competes himself.

"I try to set the bar for them," McGough said about his team. "They strive to beat me. The kids have a good time with it."

The coach noted that successful competition involves much more than shooting a rifle. "We think shooters are athletes," he said.

Larimer County teams have always placed well at the Colorado State Fair, he said, but this is the first Larimer County 4-H group to go to the National Junior Olympics.

The county team is still fund-raising for the trip. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Larimer County 4-H Foundation, c/o National Junior Olympic Air Rifle Team, Box 543, Fort Collins, CO 80522. The team needs a minimum of $4,200 for the trip.