MUSCATINE, Iowa–For the past several years, the Muscatine American Legion has hosted the Junior Shooting Club, a place for children 10 and up to learn about air rifle shooting and to eventually compete in competitions at all levels. This spring, the club celebrates the success of the two oldest members, Ella Evans and Kiara Hallett, who have recently done well at state competitions and have set their sights on the regional shoot in Port Clinton, Ohio. The club has started to grow, with several new members beginning their air rifle practice.
Longtime members of the club, Ella and Kiara have enjoyed their year of shooting together and the improvements they have seen. Both started practicing under the direction of the club’s founder Ray Dietrich, who proved very inspiring to both. “Ray Dietrich, he’d make it fun,” Ella remembers. “If you shot all your shots in a quarter, you’d get to keep it–I still have that coin.”
Over the last several weekends, the girls have competed in three major state competitions, including one put one by the American Legion, one hosted by the Junior Olympics, and one hosted by the Iowa Rifle and Pistol Association. The girls both shot outstandingly, notably earning second overall for their performance on a team of four at the Junior Olympics.
Over the next several weeks, Ella and Kiara will practice for the regional shoot, including having a private clinic with Jenny Thrasher, the 2016 Junior Olympic gold medalist. Though a challenging competition, both girls have high hopes for regionals. “I’m very excited for it–I’ve never been to it,” said Ella.
Brad Bark, Kiara Hallett, Ella Evans, Samantha Wheeler, and Jolisa Coleman at the March 21 Junior Shooting Club Meeting. Photo by Margaret Hurlbert.
“I’ve feel like we both made a lot of progress, and I’m both excited and scared,” reflected Kiara.
To celebrate the girls’ accomplishments thus far, the Junior Shooting Club’s organizers invited several special guests, including Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark, Muscatine Police Patrol Officer Samantha Wheeler, and Muscatine Police Corporal Jolisa Colman to congratulate them. “We at the city are really proud of them for a job well done,” stated Bark, who has invited them to come visit the city council for formal recognition.
Because the trip to regionals comes with many expenses, the Junior Shooting Club will hold a fundraiser to help offset its costs. April 4 from 4 to 7 p.m., Ella and Kiara will help serve loose meat sandwiches and sides at the American Legion (110 South Houser Street in Muscatine) to anyone who would like to come enjoy some. Meals cost $8 a piece.
With so much positive attention coming to the Junior Shooting Club, it has started to grow, with several new children joining and starting to learn how to safely and skillfully shoot air rifles. The older students feel pleased to see that the club they have enjoyed so much will keep going even after they finish high school next spring. “I’m glad we’re getting new shooters because after we graduate, we can’t shoot here anymore, and I’m glad that hopefully it’ll continue,” shared Ella. Any young people interested in trying air rifle shooting may come to the Junior Shooting Club’s regular meetings Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. Organizers encourage parents to stay and watch their children practice.
