Dead Eyes Shooters On Target At State

The Kimball Dead Eyes Shooters 4-H club took home gold and silver medals at the 2024 Nebraska State 4-H BB Gun and Air Rifle Championships on April 20 and 21 in Grand Island.   

The Sporter Air Rifle team of Julia Winstrom, Karsyn Chesley, Ainslie Hottell and Chris Foster took first-place honors with a team score of 1,999.

The BB Gun team of Joseph Toth, Jalanna Krakow, Karsyn Chesley, Tallyn Chesley and Olivia Toth won silver with a team score of 2,205.

“I was so proud of the kids this year,” said Nicole Snyder, one of the coaches for the Dead Eye Shooters. “The kids have worked really hard and made significant improvements over the season.

“ I was particularly excited about winning first place in the Sporter Air rifle team. Julia is a veteran competitor and leads the team. Karsyn shot a personal best, and Chris supplied the steady support we have known from him over his career. Ainslie was right on target to finish out the team. Even though we will lose Chis and Julia next year, some great competitors are coming up to fill their shoes.”

Karsyn Chesley placed first in the 13-14 year old division with a score of 525, and she also won the standing position with a score of 171 out of a possible 200. 

Julia Winstrom, in her last year of participation, placed second in the 15-18-year-old division with a score of 542, and she won the prone position with a 196. She scored a 96 on one of her two prone targets and shot a perfect 100 on her second target. The only 100 scored by any competitors.  

Ainslie Hottell scored a 470 and placed seventh in the 13- and 14-year-old division. Chris Foster placed 15th in the 15- to 18-year-old division in his last year of participation with a score of 462.   

Tallyn Chesley placed fifth overall in the 11- and 12-year-old division with a score of 439, and she won the standing position for her age group with a score of 147.

Joseph Toth placed 15th in the 13- and 14-year division with a score of 414. 

Ten members of the Dead Eye Shooters participated in the BB Gun match. 

Joseph Toth led the team with a score of 451 out of a possible 500 and placed 12th in the 13- to 15-year-old division. Karsyn Chesley placed 16th in the same division with a score of 445. Ainslie Hottell shot a 378 and placed 34th. 

Jalanna Krakow placed fourth in the 11- and 12-year-old division with a score of 452. Olivia Toth placed 14th with a score of 418, and Jax Anderson placed 31st in the same-age division with a score of 364. 

In the 9- and 10-year-old division, Adieline Weinbender placed 47th with a score of 287, Braun Hottell shot a 311 for 44th place, and Kolten Hottel placed 49th with a score of 269.

In the Precision Air Rifle division, Julia Winstrom placed third in the 15- to 18-year-old division, scoring 371 out of 400. Chris Foster placed 10th with a total score of 275. 

Karsyn Chesley placed fifth in the 13- and 14-year-old division with a total score of 318.