Wyoming team competes at International Youth Hunter Challenge; earns second straight Sportsmanship Award
Wyoming’s team of young hunters from Upton, Gillette, Wheatland and Star Valley Ranch were cited for their courtesy and camaraderie. The staff and volunteers who bestow the award reported that all 15 Wyoming team members displayed excellent sportsmanship.
NRA representatives believe Wyoming is the first team to win the sportsmanship award two years in a row since the international challenge began in 1986. The event allows youth to showcase their hunting skills and celebrate outdoor heritage with other young hunters across the country. The 2015 international challenge was held July 26-31 at the NRA’s Raton shooting complex.
Wyoming’s 15 young hunters, along with more than 300 other youngsters from across the country competed in shotgun, .22, muzzleloader and archery marksmanship, plus wildlife identification, hunter safety, orienteering and hunter ethic knowledge and insights.
To qualify for the international challenge, young hunters must compete in an NRA challenge at the state level.
Team captain Doug Williams of Upton placed 38th in archery. Overall, Style Thurston of Star Valley Ranch was Wyoming’s top-ranked boy and Breanna Miller of Wheatland was the state’s top-ranked girl. As a team, Wyoming’s best overall team showing was in orienteering.
“We practice sportsmanship along with our shooting and it’s nice to see that pay off,” said Williams, an
Upton High School senior. “We’re very proud to receive that award two years in a row.”
In evening events, New Mexico challenged the Wyoming in tug-o-war and the Cowboy State girls proved victorious.
“We’re hoping for better shooting scores, but as in past years the team represented Wyoming with class, and with that we’re rewarded with sportsmanship recognition,” said Rick Rothleutner, director of the Wyoming challenge, who traveled with the team. “All the adults on the trip were very proud of the Wyoming team and the whole state should be, too.”
The Wyoming contingent included senior boys and girls teams and a junior team. The senior boys were coached by Brady Morris of Gillette, who won the Missouri challenge in 1995 and 1996 and competed in five international challenges. Colton Buckley, captain of the 2014 team, coached the senior girls. Mike Davis of Upton coached the junior team. Mamie Thurston of Star Valley Ranch cooked for the Wyoming team.
As in 2013 and 2014, Morris cited the community of Upton for rallying behind the effort and the Wyoming Friends of the NRA for paying the youngsters’ registration fees and donating a trailer to haul their equipment.
The 2016 Wyoming state challenge will be June 4, and again will be held amidst the ponderosa pines of the Upton Gun Club. All hunters 18 and younger statewide are encouraged to compete; registration only requires a hunter education certificate and $10. For more information contact Rick Rothleutner of the Upton Gun Club at (307) 281-9980.
NRA representatives believe Wyoming is the first team to win the sportsmanship award two years in a row since the international challenge began in 1986. The event allows youth to showcase their hunting skills and celebrate outdoor heritage with other young hunters across the country. The 2015 international challenge was held July 26-31 at the NRA’s Raton shooting complex.
Wyoming’s 15 young hunters, along with more than 300 other youngsters from across the country competed in shotgun, .22, muzzleloader and archery marksmanship, plus wildlife identification, hunter safety, orienteering and hunter ethic knowledge and insights.
To qualify for the international challenge, young hunters must compete in an NRA challenge at the state level.
Team captain Doug Williams of Upton placed 38th in archery. Overall, Style Thurston of Star Valley Ranch was Wyoming’s top-ranked boy and Breanna Miller of Wheatland was the state’s top-ranked girl. As a team, Wyoming’s best overall team showing was in orienteering.
“We practice sportsmanship along with our shooting and it’s nice to see that pay off,” said Williams, an
Upton High School senior. “We’re very proud to receive that award two years in a row.” In evening events, New Mexico challenged the Wyoming in tug-o-war and the Cowboy State girls proved victorious.
“We’re hoping for better shooting scores, but as in past years the team represented Wyoming with class, and with that we’re rewarded with sportsmanship recognition,” said Rick Rothleutner, director of the Wyoming challenge, who traveled with the team. “All the adults on the trip were very proud of the Wyoming team and the whole state should be, too.”
The Wyoming contingent included senior boys and girls teams and a junior team. The senior boys were coached by Brady Morris of Gillette, who won the Missouri challenge in 1995 and 1996 and competed in five international challenges. Colton Buckley, captain of the 2014 team, coached the senior girls. Mike Davis of Upton coached the junior team. Mamie Thurston of Star Valley Ranch cooked for the Wyoming team.
As in 2013 and 2014, Morris cited the community of Upton for rallying behind the effort and the Wyoming Friends of the NRA for paying the youngsters’ registration fees and donating a trailer to haul their equipment.
The 2016 Wyoming state challenge will be June 4, and again will be held amidst the ponderosa pines of the Upton Gun Club. All hunters 18 and younger statewide are encouraged to compete; registration only requires a hunter education certificate and $10. For more information contact Rick Rothleutner of the Upton Gun Club at (307) 281-9980.
Al Langston (307) 777-4540
