18 Jun 2014 Shooting winners named in state finals tournament

Weather again played havoc with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports state finals. Last year, brutal weather conditions forced the tournament into a third day. This year the Ashdown Panthers Team 3 took top honors in the junior division, and the senior Greenwood Blazing Attack took top honors despite the severe weather that hit the area. The tournament was held June 6-7 at Jacksonville.

Champion of Champions in the junior division was Tanner Poole of the Lakeside Angry Birds. Noah Slaughter of the Beebe Blue Rock Blasters was the Champion of Champions in the senior division.

In the junior division, Corning Trap Team 2 took second place, and Greenwood Pure Powder took third place. In the senior division, the Cabot Clay Crushers squad placed second, and the Jonesboro Valley View Shooting Stars Pintails placed third.

Each member of the top three senior division teams was awarded a college scholarship ($1,500 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third).

Teams from across the state competed in four regional competitions to qualify for the championship. Each region was represented by 16 teams in the junior and senior divisions.

In addition to team competition, shooters with perfect scores during regional tournaments were invited to compete individually in the Champion of Champions event at the state finals.

The AYSSP is an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission program that encourages youth to learn to shoot shotguns safely while enjoying the outdoors. To learn more about the AYSSP or to become a coach, visit agfc.com to download a brochure or contact Chuck Woodson at 501.230.4738.