The 2024-2025 Clay County 4-H Shooting Sports Muzzleloading Team made their mark on the national stage this past week, returning home with an impressive collection of awards after competing in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Championship held in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The three-person team, made up of Elijah Paxton, Lydia Shamblin, and Timothy Rhodes, competed in three days of challenging events and represented West Virginia with skill, focus, and sportsmanship.
Day One – 50-Yard Bullseye.
Elijah Paxton started the week strong, earning 10th place in the nation in the precision-focused 50-yard bullseye event.
Day Two – Novelty Targets.
Day two brought even more excitement. Paxton again secured a 10th-place finish nationally in the novelty competition, while teammate Lydia Shamblin earned an impressive 5th place. Their combined efforts helped propel the team to a 3rd-place national finish in the event.
Day Three – Silhouettes.
The silhouette portion of the competition proved to be another strong showing. Elijah Paxton placed 8th nationally, and Timothy Rhodes earned a standout 4th place. The team finished 2nd in the nation in the silhouette category, marking one of their best collective performances.
Overall Individual and Team Rankings
At the end of the three-day championship, the individual scores reflected consistent performance across all events. Elijah Paxton placed 7th overall in the nation, with Lydia Shamblin close behind in 8th place. The Clay County team finished 4th overall in the nation, a remarkable achievement among dozens of top competitors from across the United States.
Coach and supporters praised the team for their dedication, months of preparation, and calm under pressure during national-level competition.
Also representing Clay County and West Virginia at the National Championship was Savannah Rhodes, who competed in the Air Pistol discipline. Savannah demonstrated focus, safety, and precision throughout the competition, proudly continuing the tradition of excellence in Clay County’s 4-H Shooting Sports program. Her participation added to the team’s strong overall presence at the national event and highlighted the depth of talent across all disciplines.
“We’re incredibly proud of how they represented Clay County and West Virginia,” said the clay county extension agent-Michael Shamblin-. “They showed what 4-H is all about — responsibility, skill development, and teamwork.”
The Clay County 4-H Muzzleloading and Air pistol Team’s success in Nebraska stands as a testament to their hard work and the strength of the 4-H Shooting Sports program in the state.
