Chouteau Public Schools Celebrates National Champion Air Rifle Team

Choteau Public Schools celebrated its fifth-grade air rifle team today after they won a National Championship. 

"I couldn't believe it and I was just in shock," said Harper Emory. 

Fifth grader Harper Emory was nervous before the competition but walked away as the individual national champion for the girl's division, with her teammates winning the team title. 

"I didn't know what I was going to score, and then I shot pretty good, and then when we were driving up there, it was pretty fun because I was surrounded by my best friend," she said. 

Her dad, Jason, was there cheering her on and was so proud of his daughter when she was announced the champion.

"The look on her face when they called her name, it was priceless; she was so surprised, and I was surprised myself. I was very proud, it was a neat thing," Jason Emory said.

Instructor Kenny Helton says the title means a lot to him and the kids, it's helped them with their confidence, and most importantly, safety. 

"It goes right along with your hunter education course, too; it entailed just safety, safety, safety, tons of practice," said Kenny Helton. 

Grady Bullock practiced all through his Thanksgiving break to get ready for the competition.

He says he was nervous, but when it was time to compete, he knew he had support.

"It kind of went through my mind that my dad was there with me cause me and my dad used to go shooting and hunting together, and it just reminded me of my dad," Grady said.

Grady's dad passed away a couple of years ago.

He knows his dad was there with him at the competition.. watching him win the individual National Champion boy's title. 

"It was pretty cool getting to win, I didn't really think I was going to win, but I did," he said.

Grady says he's going to stay on the team through middle school and high school and hopes to get used to winning. 

"It's good to be a winner," he said.