GRAND ISLAND, NE — Whether they’re here to shoot a bow or a shotgun, participants in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships have a similar goal: to enjoy the competition and the camaraderie.

“Getting together with a bunch of kids that have the same interests as me," Andrew Koehlmoos of O'Neill said. "You’re making friends out here, cracking jokes with other people, giving people high-fives. It’s really enjoyable.”

Koehlmoos had a shorter trip than most to the championships. 691 competitors from 39 states traveled to Grand Island where the Heartland Public Shooting Park and Fonner Park will host 27 different events over three days.

University of Nebraska Extension Educator Steve Pritchard is the Match Director. 

“It gets to be a little bit of a scramble, but we’ve got awful good volunteers that help run various events and be able to do a quick changeover from day to day,” Pritchard said.

States have different qualifying metrics that can vary by event. Koehlmoos shot in the Nebraska state competition in September, then filled out an application to make nationals.

“To be selected is a great achievement knowing that the committee saw that I was able to represent the state,” Koehlmoos said.

There’s pressure to savor the experience, as each person is only allowed to compete once in a specific discipline.

“It is truly an honor to be able to represent your state in a given discipline,” Pritchard said.

Grand Island is in its 12th year hosting the championships and will continue to host through at least 2026. Pritchard says it’s rewarding to help put on the event.

“That’s what it’s all about is that mix between, and sharing, and making new friends with people from all over the country,” Pritchard.