09/21/2026
The Yuma County 4-H Shooting Sports Archery and R***e teams headed to Pueblo, Colorado,
August 22-23, to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition. Coach Wade Keller had two
junior archers and six senior archers competing for Yuma County. Ted Hendrix competed in the junior compound archery division. Taylor Erker took home eighth place in the junior recurve division.
Albert Keller and Charles Oestman competed in the senior compound division.
Anthony Emery, Keenan Erker, Parker Erker and Benjamin Oestman competed in the senior recurve competition. Parker Erker took second place in the individual senior recurve class. Then he took
sixth out of top ten places in the overall recurve national qualifier division. The senior recurve team also took third place at the competition! The junior R***e team consisted of Mia Anaya, Travis
Bailey, Tucker Bailey, AJ Deering, Marcos Granados, and Timoteo Granados.
The senior r***e team was represented by Victoria Granados and Ximena Granados. The r***e state teams were coached by Greg and Logan Klein.
Over Labor Day Weekend the Yuma County 4-H Pistol and Sh***un in Colorado Springs. The junior pistol team was Caleb Wilson and Sullivan Sears, coached by Greg Klein. Sh***un was a two-day event with three competitions. On Saturday, the junior and senior teams completed the s***t and sporting clays events, with Justin Blach and Travis Bullock coaching. The junior team consisted of Taylor Erker, Gabe Sampson, Tobin Smith, and Caleb Wilson. Taylor Erker took home first place in the junior sporting clays event. Parker Erker, Keenan Erker, Charles Oestman, Benjamin Oestman, and
Maverick Rose made up the senior team for Yuma County. Sixth place went to Parker Erker in the senior sporting clays division. Then both teams returned on Sunday morning to shoot in the final
trap competition. Taylor Erker took second place in the junior division. Parker Erker shot a solid 50 out of 50 clays, taking home third place in senior trap.
Parker Erker also placed fifth in the top 10 national qualifiers, after all three event scores for all competitors were totaled.
The Outdoor Skills and Western Heritage Invitational took place on September 19th, and 20th in Fairplay, Colorado. Albert Keller, Ryker Kerst-Josh, Benjamin Oestman, and Charles Oestman
participated in the Outdoor Skills Competition. Ryker Kerst-Josh placed tenth in the junior division. In the senior division Albert Keller placed second, Charles Oestman placed third, and
Benjamin Oestman placed fourth in Outdoor Skills. Greg and Logan Klein were the Outdoor Skills
Coaches. Albert Keller and Ryker Kerst-Josh participated in the Western Heritage Competition on Sunday. Ryker Kerst-Josh placed third in the junior division. Albert Keller placed second in the senior division, and also received the Corey Mekelburg Memorial Spirit of the Game Award. Wade Keller and Logan Klein were the Western Heritage Coaches.
Everyone enjoyed being able to compete at the state level, to meet new people and gain more experience in their disciplines. Thanks to all the coaches, parents and volunteers that help to make this opportunity available and a success!
The Yuma County Junior R***e Team: from left to right, Travis Bailey, Tucker Bailey, Timoteo Granados, Marcos Granados, Mia Anaya and AJ Deering.
The Yuma County Outdoor Skills Team: from left to right, Charles Oestman, Albert Keller, Ryker Kerst-Josh, and Benjamin Oestman.
The Yuma County Senior Sh***un Team: from left to right, Keenan Erker, Parker Erker, Benjamin Oestman, Charles Oestman, and Maverick Rose.
