A&M-Victoria faculty, student take top honors in 4-H competition
Texas A&M University-Victoria sophomore Braxton Rokyta and Interim Associate Provost Daniel White recently represented Victoria County, bringing home multiple honors in the statewide coaches competition.
I love this sport,” Rokyta said. “I enjoy helping kids get involved and excited about shooting. I also love encouraging them to keep improving and become better shooters. My goal is to help the next generation develop a passion for the sport so we can continue to grow it for years to come.”
The Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games were hosted on July 14-18 in San Antonio. The competition featured participants from 17 Texas counties. The teams were made up of coaches from various 4-H clubs across the state. Rokyta and White each led separate teams of coaches in the competition and took part in individual competitions as well.
Rokyta’s team captured first place with a score of 261 out of 300, while White’s team earned second place with 252 out of 300. Rokyta also distinguished himself as the High Overall Shooter, posting an impressive 69 out of 75 individual points.
Competing in the adult sporting clays division, White finished second overall with a score of 91 out of 100, missing the championship by a single target.
Beyond the awards, both White and Rokyta serve as volunteer coaches with Victoria County 4-H Shooting Sports, where they mentor young athletes in firearm safety, responsibility, sportsmanship and personal discipline.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of coaching is watching young people grow in confidence and maturity,” White said. “The competitions are fun, but helping develop the next generation is what makes volunteering worthwhile.”
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.