May 23—THOMASVILLE- The 2023 Georgia State 4-H Modified Trap Match was recently held at the UGA Beef Research Station in Eatonton, Georgia. 780 4-H Shotgun Members from 63 Georgia counties gathered to demonstrate their skills.

It was Thomas County 4-H member Carter Coatney who was the top Junior and won the 2023 Overall High Junior Individual in the state. Coatney hit a perfect score of 25 out of 25 targets then broke 9 out of 10 targets in the double competition to clench the state win.

Senior member Gaines Small also hit a perfect score of 25, but was edged out in the double competition.

Thomas County had 13 4-H'ers qualify for the state event. To qualify, Junior members had to shoot a minimum of 16 targets and Seniors were required to shoot a minimum of 20 targets at a qualification match. Thomas County State Qualifiers included; Cannon Ryan, Haydon Weeks, Ryder Harrell, Carter Coatney, Cash Nance, Luke Roberson, Nate Popiel, Noah Popiel, Gaines Small, Dalton Drew, Braden Dawson, Dawson Wright and Ayden Webb.

The teams are coached by a group of Certified Volunteer Coaches including Head Coach Jon Wynn, Nikki Smith, Erik Small, Peyton Green, Richard Green, and Jody Lane. If anyone would like more information on the Thomas County 4-H Program or the Thomas County 4-H Shooting Sports Program, contact Cindy Wynn at (229)225-4130.