Shooters prepare for national competition

Three of the four students on the Monatana team are from Mineral County

Three students from Mineral County are joining Brook Kinna from Gallatin County to represent the state of Montana at the 2010 National Rifle Association's National Junior Air Gun Championships. The team of four will compete in Albuquerque, NM at the Albuquerque Convention Center from June 23 to June 26. The three students from Mineral County going are Dahkota Hayes, Matt Hayes and Mackenzie Crabb.

The shooters earned the invitation to competition back in January by placing in the top ranks at the Whitefish Sectional.

Dahkota started shooting five years ago.

"My brother had done it the year before and I thought it would be interesting to try it," Dahkota said. "I find that it's really fun and it's interesting to go to matches and compete and meet new people."

For Dahkota, it will be her third year attending the national competition. Two years ago, she placed fifth and last year she placed fifteenth. Students will shoot 3-P (three position) at the competition: standing, kneeling and prone (lying down). Dahkota said that she's been working on the different positions and feels that her strengths lie in standing.

"I'm excited. Overall I just want to have fun and try my best. I feel pretty confident," Dahkota said.

Dahkota will shoot with a precision air rifle at the event

Her brother, Matt, who has been shooting since he was nine years old and has also been to the national competition, will shoot with a sporter rifle. He said that he's also excited to compete and to also represent the state of Montana.

"I feel pretty good it," Matt said. "And knowing that we're getting the chance to represent Montana and get our state's name out there is cool."

Matt said that one of his personal goals is to shoot a personal best in 60 shots: 20 of prone, 20 of standing and 20 of kneeling. Currently, his personal best sits at 550 out of 600.

"And I just want to keep improving," Matt said. "I need to work at standing position; it's probably my weak spot."

Matt said that he's looking for more stability in his shooting while standing. He said he's honored to be going down to compete.

"It's a pretty good honor and I'm really glad to be going down," Matt said.

Mackenzie, who has been in shooting sports the longest, about seven years, said that he's getting nervous as the competition isn't too far out.

"I'm kind of excited, but I'm nervous too because the completion is in about two weeks. So I'm really nervous about that," Mackenzie said.

Mackenzie competed last year at the national competition and will be shooting with a sporter rifle this year. He said he thinks it's a pretty neat thing that three of the individuals on the team to represent Montana are from Mineral County.

"It is (neat)," Mackenzie said. "Especially for us for only having like eight people in our club."

Mackenzie said that his strongest shooting is in prone position and that his weakest is in standing position. He said he's hoping to shoot a 540 at the competition.

Mackenzie said that just being able to be with friends and having the opportunity to go to the competitions is what's kept him involved in shooting sports for so many years. He said that he plans to not think about being nervous and to just focus on his shooting.

Dahkota said that she feels there accomplishments show others that it doesn't matter where you are from you can do anything if you put your mind to it and work hard.

"I feel it shows that even being from a small town that you can accomplish big things," she said.

Debra Regan, who coaches the students in the shooting sports program along with Joe Patko and Staci Hayes, said that the fact the three of the four students on the team to represent Montana are from Mineral County says a lot about the kids.

"We have kids of high caliber in our program and now on the team," Regan said. "It says a lot about their dedication and hard work. These kids have been working hard while other kids are just enjoying summer vacation."

Regan said that she is thrilled for them and their accomplishment and is proud of how they've done. She said she also thanks the parents for backing them and their support.

All three of the shooters said that they were really appreciative of the community support. They held fundraisers to raise money for the cost of what it would be to go down and compete.

"It was cool," Mackenzie said.

"It was great to know that we had so much support behind us," Matt added.

The four-member team is also being sponsored by the Montana Rifle and Pistol Association. Look to future issues of the Mineral Independent for results on how the kids did at the competition.