After suspending their Season in 2020, Marshall County 4-H Sharp Shooters had a modified shooting sports season for Summer 2021.  Working with two Shotgun Coaches and one Archery Coach, membership this season was limited to just returning Trap or Archery 4-Hers and their siblings.  There was a total of 11 youth enrolled for Season 2021 with seven remaining active after mid-season.  

With the modified season, the Marshall County 4-H Youth Development Agent worked with the Coaches, Calvert City Gun Club, and families to provide virtual safety training, scheduling of practices, and securing contributions since the traditional fundraising shoots were not able to be done.  Donations totaling $750 helped cover costs for Season 2021 beyond those covered by membership dues.  A new building was also donated to store the archery equipment at the gun club.  Program support funds from the Marshall County Extension District Board helped to cover facility fees for archery practices.  When it was all said and done, the 4-H Sharp Shooters were able to put over $500 into the club’s general fund.

Working through weather delays/cancellations, coach work schedules, and general pandemic obstacles, Marshall County 4-H Sharp Shooters did have a presence at the 2021 State 4-H Shoot.  Four members competed in Archery Bowhunter and Target Compound divisions.  One 4-Her brought home 1st Place in Archery Target 9-11.  He and his brother placed 6th and 7th in Archery Bowhunter 9-11, and the brother was 5th place in Archery Target 9-11.  One of the 12–14-year-old 4-Hers pushed through health challenges including a broken ankle and a mid-summer seizure scare to be competitive.  Marshall also had two 4-Hers competed in Shotgun and did quite well in 9-11 and 12-14 Division 2.  

While there were not enough participants to be competitive as a “team,” the 4-Hers and their families were thankful for some sort of “normalcy” to a sport they had missed.  These same families also participated in two to three of the regional 4-H shoots offered through the summer.  The 4-H Youth Development Agent constantly received feedback noting the sportsmanship and respect shown by all the Marshall County 4-Hers and their families throughout the regional and state shoot.

After a suspended season and not fully out of a pandemic, the Marshall County 4-H Sharp Shooters look forward to 2022.  The club will face some challenges going in such as fewer certified coaches and returning members waiting to see what pandemic restrictions may still be in place.  The 4-H Sharp Shooters have been part of Marshall County 4-H Youth Development programming for over 20 years.  Like all groups, they have had their ups and downs, but will persevere to meet the challenges.