A pair of local athletes qualified for the Junior Olympic Rifle Competition to be held in Michigan in May. Sealy’s Micah Hames and Cat Spring’s Skye Youngblood will represent the Austin County 4-H Rifle Team and the Austin County Youth Bullseye Club.

Each year across the United States, junior shooters compete in Junior Olympic Qualifying matches held in each state. USA Shooting sets qualifying scores according to the different age classifications: under 15, under 18, under 21. The matches are both Smallbore and Air Rifle disciplines. Those shooters who meet that score are then invited to compete in the Junior Olympic Rifle Competition held in Hillsdale, Michigan at Hillsdale College, May 11-15.

Hames, daughter of Melanie and Brandon Hames of Sealy, shot her qualifying match at Texas Christian University Jan. 8. In Air Rifle, Micah shot a 575 with 25 center shots, which was well above the qualifying score set by USAS of 566 for the U18 category. Micah is a senior at Faith Academy of Bellville and has aspirations of competing in the sport of rifle at the collegiate level.

Youngblood, daughter of Connie and Aaron Youngblood of Cat Spring, shot her qualifying match at the University of Texas – El Paso Jan. 15. In Air Rifle, Skye shot a personal best of 568 with 26 center shots, two points above the qualifying score set by USAS for the U18 category. Skye is a freshman who plans to shoot rifle in college after graduation. She is also a certified Junior Coach and is instrumental in coaching and mentoring the younger club members.

Both girls compete with the Austin County 4-H Rifle Team and the Austin County Youth Bullseye Club located at Texas Premier Sporting Arms in Sealy.