Participants were categorized by age into Beginner (ages 8-10), Junior (11-13), Senior (14-18), and Masters (age 14 and older who have competed at nationals in that category). Competitors used sporter air rifles, shooting .177-caliber pellets at a velocity of 600 feet per second or less.

Beginners shot from a sitting position off a bench, while Juniors and Seniors competed in three positions: standing, kneeling and prone. The match also included specialty categories such as Sporter Standing, 40-Shot Prone, Precision Standing and Air Pistol.

Results for Ward County participants are as follows:

– 40-Shot Prone Division: second place, Nolan Lee, Sawyer (Score: 347-9); fifth place, Zane Lee, Sawyer (Score: 307-4)

Submitted Photo Nolan Lee aims his air rifle during the standing portion while competing in the Sporter – Three Position Division.

– Master Sporter Three-Position Division: first place, Alyssa Korgel, Minot (Score: 484-5)

– Master Sporter Standing Division: first place: Zachary Korgel, Minot (Score: 473-2)

– Senior Precision Standing Division: first place, Cady Malmedal, Lincoln (Score: 555-17); second place, Kiley Whillock, Kenmare (Score: 555-13)

– Senior Sporter Three-Position Division: first Place, C. Malmedal (Score: 520-12); second place, Whillock (Score: 520-9)

– Junior Precision Standing Division: first place, Owen Malmedal, Lincoln (Score: 460-7)

Submitted Photo Kayla Whillock lines up her pellets for the next round of Beginner Bench.

– Junior Sporter Standing Division: first place, O. Malmedal (Score: 416-5); second place, N. Lee (Score: 379-0)

– Junior Sporter Three-Position Division: first place, Jase Schilla, Makoti (Score: 446-5); second place, N. Lee (Score: 415-3); fourth place, Tanner Lee, Sawyer (Score: 389-2)

The team of N. Lee, T. Lee and Schilla placed first with a combined score of 1250.

– Beginner Sporter Bench Division: first place, Kayla Whillock, Kenmare (Score: 582-34); third place: Zane Lee, Sawyer (Score: 544-12); fifth place: Xavier Lee, Sawyer (Score: 524-11)

The team of X. Lee, Z. Lee and Whillock placed first with a combined score of 1650.

There were no participants from Ward County competing in the Air Pistol Division.

Ward County 4-H Air Rifle members practice with the Minot Rifle and Pistol Club’s Youth Marksmanship Program, coached by Nathan Sutton on Saturday mornings.