The 2024 Montezuma County Fair began with a bang Saturday morning when six competitors lined up for the 4-H .22 Rifle Shoot at the Four Corners Pistol and Rifle Club.
All the athletes in the rifle competition were junior competitors, ages 8 to 13.
The overall grand champion was 9-year-old Dallas Geisinger, who also took first place in the hunt class and fourth place in the scope competition.
Although this is his first year competing, Dallas has been shooting since he was 4 years old, said his mother, Maniesha Buck. According to Buck, Dallas saved money to pay for his own rifle for the competition by selling homemade bread at the farmers market.
Buck said her son shoots about 100 rounds every two to three days, and it’s something he really enjoys doing. Dallas said the best part of shooting was having fun.
When asked whether he would return to compete next year, Dallas shrugged and said, “Maybe.”
