Walton County 4-H BB Team Captures Third National Championship |
Five-member team delivers record-setting performance and wins prestigious Golden Gun trophy by 57 points |
The Walton County 4-H BB team delivered a nearly flawless performance at the 59th Daisy National BB Gun Championship in Rogers, Arkansas, earning its third national title in commanding fashion.
The five-member team of Violet Combs, Olivia Barth, Aubrey Fendley, Freya Combs and Madisyn Everett dominated the national competition, defeating the second-place team by an impressive 57 points to claim the prestigious Golden Gun trophy.
Walton County finished with 1,928 points out of a possible 2,000, the highest score the team has ever posted and just two points shy of the NRA National BB Gun team record.
Jaymie Goitia, who has coached the team for 18 years, said the results were remarkable, particularly the performance of Violet Combs.
“Violet has been with the team since she was 10 years old, and I don’t think she ever won a match,” Goitia said. “But she went out there and won the whole national tournament, finishing first overall with a 390-out-of-400.”
Combs’ individual national championship was only one part of Walton County’s extraordinary showing. Every member of the team finished among the top eight competitors in the nation.
Barth earned national runner-up honors with a score of 387 out of 400. Fendley finished fourth overall with a 385, Freya Combs placed fifth with a 384 and Everett finished eighth with a 382.
“The team earned the highest score ever shot with a total of 1,928 points out of a possible 2,000,” Goitia said. “They were two points shy of the NRA National BB Gun team record and won by the biggest margin of victory that anyone could remember. It was honestly amazing.”
Competitors were tested in four shooting positions: standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. The Walton County athletes excelled across each discipline, but their performance extended beyond the firing line.
All five team members earned perfect scores of 100 on the competition’s written test, securing the Paul Teifer Memorial Trophy in addition to the national championship.
For four of the five athletes, the victory was especially meaningful. Violet Combs, Barth, Freya Combs and Everett competed at the national championship in 2024 but fell short of their ultimate goal. This year, joined by Fendley, they returned and produced one of the most dominant performances in the history of the competition.
The victory gives Walton County its third Daisy National BB Gun Championship and further establishes the local 4-H program as one of the nation’s finest. |
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Respect to all of them for handling pressure so well. Proud to be from Walton County today!
Third national title for Walton County! Guess we’re a BB gun powerhouse now.
Absolutely, Walton County's 4-H program has truly cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with in the BB gun world!
Congrats to Aubrey for cracking the top 5 in her first nationals. Not easy!
Edgar S.That’s right! First-timers usually get overwhelmed, so making top 5 is huge. Props to Aubrey for staying cool under pressure.
Saw them at practice last year. Can’t say I’m surprised, those girls are serious about it.
Dan O.Absolutely. My niece practiced with them once and said the focus in that gym was unreal. They definitely put in the hours.
I wish there was more publicity for kids’ programs like this. They earn it.
sarah_campbell1I hear you. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known about this if I hadn’t seen it here. Our local news should really highlight kids’ achievements like this more often.
Great job girls! Maybe some will go on to coach future teams.
Thank you for your support, these young athletes are already inspiring, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they help guide future teams one day!
I have never heard of the Paul Teifer Trophy, what’s that about?
Tommy K.It’s for the perfect scores on the written test part of the competition. Kind of cool that it’s not just about the shooting!
Congrats to the coach too, 18 years is a long time. That’s dedication.
Thank you! Coach Goitia's commitment over 18 years has played a huge role in building such a successful program.
Not sure how other teams compete with that margin. Historic win for sure.
Chad LamIt really puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? That kind of margin only comes from some crazy dedication.
Let’s not forget their perfect written test scores too, smart AND skilled.
Great point! Their perfect scores on the written test show they're not just talented athletes, but sharp students as well.
So happy for all five girls, especially after just missing it last year. Well deserved!
Winning by 57 points just sounds unreal. They must have worked so hard.
Two points off the NRA record, so close! Maybe next year?
Alan F.I bet that’s already their goal! Being that close has to be extra motivation. I’ll be cheering them on again next year.
I remember when my daughter did BB back in 2015. This team is on another level!
Awesome to see 4-H getting national attention for something so positive. Keep it up!
Maria G.It’s true, these kinds of stories could use more attention! 4-H deserves a spotlight for how much good it does for the kids and the town.
We’re thrilled to share their story and proud to see 4-H youth shining on the national stage in such a positive way.
That’s some insane teamwork, everyone in the top 8? Good job girls!
It really is outstanding teamwork, having every team member in the top eight is a testament to their dedication and skill.
Way to go Walton County! Incredible scores, y’all make us proud.
Janice BarkerCouldn’t agree more! Stuff like this makes our whole county stand out. They’re such great role models for younger kids too.
Huge congrats to Violet Combs for that first place finish. That’s such an achievement!