Today, the image of children with guns can be a disturbing

one, but for Coach Bill Weyda and his team of Junior Shooters, it is

an image that represents responsibility and skill. "People always

talk about kids with guns and all the bad things that happen,"

says Coach Bill Weyda. "These kids do everything right, are

extremely safe, and they win." The team uses air pistols in most of their

competitions but also are called on to use .22's in some contests.

Three members of the team, Billy Harrison, Cole

Beatenbaugh and Brandon Weyda all got a chance to travel to Colorado

and compete in the National Junior Invitational. To get one of the

32 invitations, you must be a state qualifier scoring a minimum

of 533 points out of 600. Beatenbaugh qualified with a 539, Weyda

took third place with a score of 542 and Billy Harrison finished in

second place with 550 points. Harrison actually finished tied with a

boy from Texas, forcing a shoot off. Harrison scored 129 points out

of a possible 142.

After qualifying, the boys headed out with Coach Weyda

to Colorado for the National Invitational Tournament. The air

match was spread out throught two days. Billy Harrison finished with

1079 points at the end of two days and a ranking of 10th. Brandon

Weyda took 11th place with 1076 points and Cole Beatenbaugh

finished with 1058 points and an 18th place finish. The next part of the

tournament consisted of firing a ..22 Brandon Weyda finished in

second place overall and first in his age group with 556 points.

Cole BeatenBaugh finished in ninth place with 533 points.

The team works every Friday at the Wolf Creek range,where

the Olympic riflery contests took place. The range is

completely electronic and offers the best possible atmosphere for learning

possible. "I'm just very proud of these guys," said Coach Weyda.

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