Arkansas AIM: a growing program

Arkansas held their second registered AIM shoot on April 24, hosted by the Remington GC, Lonoke. A total of 166 young athletes vied for team and individual awards. Despite thunderstorms and more than an hour’s delay, state AIM director Petey Chambless said, “We were pleased with the number of shooters and family and friends who attended.” Once the bad weather passed it was partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s, but gusty winds made the targets sporting. Teams and individuals received medals courtesy of Remington GC and Bronson Castleberry, manager. “Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all who came out, competitors and supporters alike,” said Petey.

The gun club also held an inaugural AIM shoot March 27 with a turnout of 170 shooting athletes. Petey and wife Renae said, “We thank and recognize all who worked hard and volunteered at these first two AIM events: The Remington GC, its staff and manager Bronson Castleberry and wife Anita; Robby and Wendy Pennock; Vanessa Crossfield, photographer; Ricky Hill; Scott Harper, and various others who are always ready and willing to lend a helping hand.” Bubba’s Southern Bar-B-Que vended, providing good food and plenty of sweet tea at the 100-bird event.

Renae started shooting skeet a few years back and asked Petey and son J. K. to come to the gun club and shoot. They got involved with trapshooting and started registering targets in 2006. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission started the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP) in 2007. The Chambless family became involved with that. “The AYSSP is an excellent state-funded program to get kids in the great outdoors and teach them gun safety and the sport of trapshooting.” Today the AYSSP has 5,200 youth involved. When ATA started the AIM youth program in 2009, the Chamblesses were asked to get involved. They decided to watch and learn that year before jumping in, traveling to other states and visiting with directors and coaches in order to learn as much as possible. Petey became AIM director for Arkansas for the 2010 year and has steadily recruited youth shooters, parents and coaches. In March this year there were 49 AIM members. As of May there were 249. The AIM teams participate in the AYSSP shoots. Several were held in May, and Petey said those events were good practice to get the kids ready for the AIM state shoot in June. The Chamblesses plan on taking teams to the Grand to compete in the AIM Grand Championships. Arkansas participated last year, when the Harrisburg Hornets won the champion team trophy in the sub-junior division and Derek Brown earned the individual champion award. “AIM is an excellent program for  youth, emphasizing the importance of academics, integrity, gun safety and good shooting know-how,” Petey said. “AIM is an avenue to get youth involved in the lifetime sport of ATA competition and friends.”

AIM shoot

Pre-Sub (11 and under)

Team

           none entered

Individual

1st      Austin Wilson, Batesville      89

2nd    Chase Myers, Cabot              78

3rd     Morgan Matheny, Batesville 69

Sub-Junior (12-14)

Team

1st      Pocahontas Spring River, Pocahontas

                           439

2nd    Team Nitro STS, Lonoke      435

3rd     Cabot Young Guns, Cabot   423

Individual

1st      Brad Hulen, Pocahontas      96

2nd    Landon Woodfield, Mt. Ida  95

3rd     J. K. Chambless, Lonoke      94

Junior (15-18)

Team

1st      Huntsville HS Squad 1, Huntsville       464

2nd    Indep. Co. Sharp Shooters, Batesville

                           456

3rd     Pocahontas-PTO, Pocahontas            453

Individual

1st      Cord Riley, Huntsville           97

2nd    Jordan Harper, Harrisburg   96

3rd     Jacob Martin, Batesville        95

           Regan Counce, Stuttgart, forfeit

Graduate/Collegiate

           none entered

Brad Hulen earned the sub-junior first-place trophy and was congratulated by club manager Bronson Castleberry.

Huntsville HS won junior team first place. Members are Brady Cotton, Dewell Bryant, Cord Riley (individual first-place winner), Caleb Reeves and Sam Thomas.

The Cossatot Claybusters had a great day shooting at the AIM event.