Kaygan and Kelynn Witthuhn, daughters of Nicole and Jeff Witthuhn of Callaway and Josie Lehmkuhler, daughter of Ann and Mike Lehmkuhler of Arnold, have been selected to represent Nebraska 4-H at the 2025 National 4-H Championships Shooting Sports Competition in the discipline of smallbore pistol.

To earn these berths, they competed at the Nebraska State competition on Oct. 5, 2024, in Broken Bow. Then they completed an application process that included a resume of their 4-H careers thus far. During this competition Kaygan Witthuhn placed 2nd.

These young ladies are now part of a 4-person team that will be attending the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island on June 22 – 27, 2025.

The Shooting Sports National Competition is a 6-day event including shooting practice sessions, competitions, and award ceremonies. There will also be a social with the chance to meet other 4-H competitors, ages 14-years-old and older, from across the United States.

Last year's event included more than 700 shooters from 34 states competing in nine disciplines including recurve and compound archery, small bore rifle and pistol, hunting skills, muzzleloading, air gun rifle and pistol, and shotgun.

The benefits of shooting sports for these young adults include valuable skills in developing self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, teamwork, self-esteem, sportsmanship, and marksmanship. These skills carry over into many other aspects of these youths' daily lives.