MANHATTAN, Kan. – At age eight, Rachel Gaeddert of Larned learned how to shoot a target using a junior weight air rifle, modified to be light enough for her to handle. Four years later and in her second year of state competition, Gaeddert won the junior division of the state 4-H air rifle competition – and this may be only the beginning.

"I got started in the sport when my brother competed in the 4-H competition," Gaeddert said. "I enjoy competing in shooting sports. It’s something I’m good at and it’s fun."

Through the 4-H project, Gaeddert has an opportunity to further develop her marksmanship skills, maybe even to the point of going to the Olympics someday.

"I’ll be going to the Olympic training center this summer for a practice camp and competition," she said. "Someday I would like to get up to the level of trying out for the Olympic team."

Gaeddert was one of 237 Kansas 4-Hers testing their marksmanship at the 7th annual State 4-H Shooting Sports match, held April 20-22 at the Ellis County Fairgrounds in Hays. The event allowed youth from 18 counties to compete against their peers in six disciplines: archery, air pistol, air rifle, muzzle-loading (black-powder rifle), shotgun and BB gun. The participants were scored based on their accuracy, consistency and cool under pressure.

Gene Maggard, state coordinator for 4-H shooting sports, said this project is very similar to a beef or sewing project. He said the shooting sport project is a means to develop life skills.

"Through this sport, we teach 4-Hers how to handle interpersonal competition in a positive manner, recognizing that everyone who participates is a winner," Maggard said. "Participants also learn how to deal with stress in a positive manner during competition, as well as in normal life. Teaching youth how to deal with stress in life – by controlling their temper or dealing with tension – helps them become much more successful."

In addition to the life skills gained through the project, the state 4-H project opens doors to national and international competitions. The top finishers in each discipline are given the opportunity to compete on a team at the national competition, scheduled July 15-19 in San Antonio, TX. Each team of four members and three alternates will compete in aggregate, meaning they must be prepared to shoot from standing, sitting and lying down positions.

"We have had kids that graduated from Kansas’ 4-H marksmanship program go on to receive college scholarships in the sport and even the Olympic trials," said Conall Addison, K-State Research and Extension southwest area 4-H youth development specialist.

Only 4-Hers from counties with a certified instructor can participate. Certified shooting sport leaders must undergo intensive training before being certified.

"Because of the nature of firearms, we have strong supervision in this sport," Addison said. "We put the youth development component in the forefront, with the firearm education as the means to help youth develop desirable citizen traits, personal responsibility, leadership ability and other attributes."

In order to compete in the state competition, all participants must complete the basic curriculum for their discipline, including gun handling, safety procedures, sportsmanship and ethics. In addition, 4-Hers participating in air rifle or BB gun disciplines must qualify at the district level, similar to the qualification process for horse projects.

Maggard said he believes youth benefit from this project by being taught life skills and firearm responsibility.

"A gun is only bad when it is used badly by someone. Here, we are teaching youth how to use guns correctly," Maggard said."Kids taught to use guns safely and responsibly are more likely to use guns safely and responsibly as adults."