The 2002 NRA International Youth Hunter Education Challenge was held in July in Mansfield, Pa.

Once again, Louisiana youth led the way and collected many of the top prizes.

The Desoto Youth Sportsmen Senior Team brought home second place overall.

The team was led by Coach Alan Bounds and consisted of Nathan Mitchell, Alex Troegel, Caleb Morgan and Chet Carpenter. Carpenter was awarded first place in the overall individual competition as well.

The Desoto Youth Sportsmen Junior Team finished in first place overall. They won the top spot by finishing first in five events, including the shotgun, rifle, archery and hunter safety trail events.

The team was coached by John Pat Clemons and Bryan Cobb and the participants were T.J. Hawthorne, Charlie Edwards, Jonathan Clemons and Daniel Cobb. Charlie Edwards finished second in the overall individual category.

The Desoto Youth Sportsmen Team competed at the international event following the great showing at the Louisiana event held in May. They finished with most of the team and individual awards including the “Sportsmanship Award.”

This team continues Louisiana’s excellent representation at the international competition with local teams winning 10 “Grand Champion” awards, two “Sportsmanship” awards, one “Volunteer Instructor” award and many other individual awards over the 17 years the state has been represented.