Vina hosts Junior Olympic

Organizer Tim Burks said he wasn’t disappointed in the turnout for the first-ever Junior Olympic shooting event to be held in Vina – even though just three shooters participated.

“I think it will grow as parents learn about the opportunities that are possible within international/Olympic style sports,” said Burks. “Most parents in our area are not familiar with such and possibly didn’t know how to point their kids down such a path, nor have ever had this type opportunity offered.”

The Junior Olympic event was held April 21. Colyn Humphres (bronze), Peyton Flanagan (silver) and Camron Burks (gold) shot and placed in the event.

Burks extended his appreciation to the City of Vina, Mayor DW Franklin, Michael Moomaw and volunteer judges Dewayne Raper and Robert Moomaw for all their efforts in making the event happen, along with Sherye Price and the IDB for use of the industrial spec building and the NWTF for sponsoring the event with clays, ammo and Jakes mobile shooting facility.

“The qualifiers of this event will be looking to make the National Junior Olympic Team USA in Colorado this June,” Burks said. “These shooters will be headed to Tennessee for skeet qualifying and then to spring selections at the end of May to compete with other shooters from around the world.”

Parents or youth looking for information on how to get involved in the Junior Olympic program, Burks said, should visit www.usashooting.org.

“Our youth need great opportunities to become great individuals,” Burks said. “My goal is to get that opportunity in front of them.”