Benjamin Logan High School/Ohio Hi-Point Career Center junior Gavin Hamm practices at home in preparation for the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship 2023, which begins Sunday in Nebraska. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr )
An incoming Benjamin Logan High School/Ohio Hi-Point Career Center junior is heading this weekend to a prestigious national championship in Grand Island, Neb., to showcase his expertise, sportsmanship and commitment to the discipline of shooting sports as the first-ever Logan County 4-H member who has qualified for the contest.
Gavin Hamm, who also serves as the president of the Logan County Shooting Sports 4-H Club, will be competing June 25-30 in recurve archery at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship 2023.
The 16-year-old is among 36 talented youths on Ohio’s team, ages 14-18, representing 19 counties around the state. A total of 736 registered participants also will join together on the national stage from 41 different states.
“I’m excited and I can’t wait to get to nationals,” said the five-year 4-H Club member, who noted he’s been practicing his archery skills about an hour a day recently to prep for the contest.
“It’s something I’m passionate about and it will be fun to meet so many others who have similar interests from all over the country.”
“For the opening ceremony, it’s a little like the Olympics, as the participants walk in with members from their team and wave their state’s flag,” said Gavin’s mom, Michelle, who noted that there also is a basket raffle for representing each of the states. Team members are asked to contribute a unique item from their county, and Gavin is including gemstones from the Ohio Caverns.
“Our family is thrilled for this opportunity for Gavin after all of the hard work he’s put in.”
Shawndel Wilson, Logan County Shooting Sports 4-H Club leader, said Gavin applied for an opening that came up in the national championship, and he was accepted based upon his application, with his leadership experience, mentorship skills and dedicated efforts as likely factors for his acceptance.
“He is a Junior Leader in our 4-H club, and he does such a wonderful job in helping the younger members. If he sees someone struggling with a skill, he is quick to step up and pull them aside and work with them one-on-one,” Wilson said.
“Our instructors all attend trainings to become certified in their disciplines, and we nominated Gavin to attend the adult trainings as well, since he has really proven himself to be a leader and his dedication and interest in shooting sports.”
Gavin, who turns 17 in August and is the second oldest of four siblings, said as a youngster, he started hunting when he was about 8 or 9 years old with his dad, Tige, and that’s when he really found his niche.
“I didn’t play any sports, so I had to find something to do,” the rural Rushsylvania resident said.
Over the years, he has enjoyed going to the range and trap shooting with his family, along with deer hunting with his dad on their properties in the area.
He soon heard about Logan County Shooting Sports 4-H Club, and has enjoyed his participation ever since, presenting projects at the Logan County Fair each year. Gavin also has shown dairy heifers at the fair for two years.
In Ohio, the 4-H Shooting Sports have grown in popularity in recent years, and Ohio is currently second only to Texas in its youth participation in the program around the country, Wilson noted.
The 4-H Shooting Sports programs provide a safe and educational environment for youths to learn marksmanship, responsible firearm handling and essential life skills, Kim Baker, Ohio 4-H National Shooting Sports team coordinator related.
Logan County Shooting Sports 4-H would love to continue to grow the program, Wilson said. It is open to youths ages 8 and older, and each of the nine disciplines are led by the certified instructors, in the following areas: rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader, crossbow, archery, hunting and wildlife, living history and Western heritage.
The club begins each year with the important safety course requirements for members, so that they can get out to the range when the weather warms up.
“The Logan County Fish and Game has been our primary club sponsor for a number of years, and we go there often to practice,” Wilson said, noting that they also travel to other ranges throughout the county. She has served as a leader with the club since 2009.
In addition to their preparation for the Logan County Fair, July 9-15, the Logan County Shooting Sports 4-H Club also will have their traveling shooting sports trailer at the Independence Day festivities in both Rushsylvania and West Mansfield, and they invite interested youths and their families to stop by.
Individuals interested in the program also are invited to contact the Logan County 4-H Extension Office, (937) 599-4227.
For Gavin and his fellow Ohio 4-H national competitors, their journey to the contest is made possible through the financial support of the Friends of the NRA, the Ohio Gun Collectors Association and Ohio 4-H.
Gavin Hamm poses with his recurve bow and target at his rural Rushsylvania home, just prior to the national contest. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr )