Nine 9- to 14-year-old members of the Ascension Parish 4-H Club competed this past weekend at the Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match in Rogers, Arkansas.

The sharpshooters were the first team from Ascension Parish to make it to the national level for the shooting contest.

Before leaving for the event, 12-year-old Aidan Cole, of Prairieville, said, "I'm hoping to shoot the best I can. The shooting is what I look forward to the most."

To qualify, each team must have competed in the Daisy Shooting Education Program and be sponsored by an organization with adult leadership, such as 4-H.

The team competition, held at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center, started Friday and ended Monday.

The team with the overall highest score won the competition.

The Ascension 4-H group was one of three Louisiana teams competing, according to coach Jodi Daigle. The other two teams are from St. James and Franklin parishes.

James Daigle, 14, of Gonzales said he was proud to represent Ascension and Ascension 4-H shooting sports.

Jodi Daigle said the competition consists of a written exam. Then they shoot from four different positions: prone (laying down), standing, sitting and kneeling.

The team has been preparing since winning the state regionals in April.

Teams must have had at least eight hours of practice in order to compete in the national competition.

Jodi Daigle said during practice the team learns firearm safety, fundamentals of shooting in different positions, as well as Daisy rules and curriculum.

Katie Swanson, 11, from Prairieville, said, she liked learning about the safety of the guns and how to handle them. The club provided her with a chance to make new friends.

Parent Michelle Swanson said the weekend also included a grand opening ceremony, T-shirt competition and a Barter Bar area.

The Ascension 4-H Club swapped Louisiana-related trinkets with other teams across the country.

"This has all been amazing," Michelle Swanson said. "We couldn't be prouder of them. It really gives them a lot of confidence."

"They learn to focus on the next shot," Swanson added. "They can't stop and dwell on the past shot. They are really just competing against themselves. Each time they are hoping to get better."

Jaxon Swanson, 13, of Prairieville said, "We hope it brings attention to our team so we have more kids sign up in 4-H. The championship helps promote 4-H."

Along with paying out-of-pocket, the team raised money for competition expenses through sponsorships and the 4-H Club.

At presstime on Monday morning, the club was placed 25th out of 71 teams.

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Ascension 4-H'ers take aim at national BB Gun Championship - The Advocate