LaGRANGE — A local 4H competitor placed in the statewide shotgun SAFE competition.

Dillon Fryer placed third in the state after posting a perfect 25 in modified trap and 9 of 10 in doubles then going three deep in a shootoff with the top five shooters out of more than 700 high school competitors during May 7.

Fryer was among 11 Troup County 4H student who, on April 23, competed in a qualifying shotgun match in Griffin. In addition to Fryer, Andrew Larry, Jeremy Adams, Kristian Anderson and Colson Blackburn from the local 4H qualified for the state competition.

4H officials congratulated “the entire team for their hard work.”

SAFE stands for shooting awareness, fun and education. One of the goals of project SAFE is to teach life skills through safe and responsible use of firearms.

Shooting teams are led by certified coaches. Certified coaches are adults who have been through the 4H volunteer background screening process and risk management training as well as additional training specific to their shooting discipline.

4H coaches and parents thanked the sponsors who provided financing and practice facilities: Barley J Plantation, Todd Ammerman; Liberty Hill Sporting, Rob Petry; Mud Creek Graphics, Greg and Amy Hicks; and ServiceMaster Restore, Brad and Jeff Wilson.

For more information on 4H, call Melanie Dabb, 4H extension agent, at 706-883-1675.