In the span of a few weeks this summer, the young shooters of Square1 Outdoors have logged hundreds of miles in pursuit of national competition, and they aren’t finished yet. With the Daisy Nationals in Rogers, Arkansas, just days away and a state championship to follow shortly after, coach Rodney Murphy of Booneville is keeping his competitors sharp and his schedule full.
It is, he said, exactly how he likes it.
“We’ve had a very busy summer,” Murphy said.
That busyness is a measure of how far the club has come. Two nights a week in practice sessions so busy they run in shifts at their Prentiss County Sportsman’s Club location, Murphy coaches youngsters of every age who come to the club’s indoor range and take part in a precision style of air rifle shooting mirrored by dedicated marksmen all around the world. This summer, that work earned him a new distinction: he was named coach of Mississippi’s 4-H air rifle team for the 2026 4-H National Competition.
Olympic-style rifles, web-based electronic target systems and a safe, comfortable place to do it afford them the opportunity to compete in the national SCOPOS league. The name is Greek and translates as “purpose.” The shooting discipline they practice gives them further access to a number of other national competitions, including those operated by 4-H and by the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
On the road
The team’s summer began with CMP Regionals, where the squad performed well enough to earn an invitation to the CMP National competition — a significant achievement in itself. The timing, however, created a welcome conflict: the CMP nationals overlapped with the 4-H nationals, and the team was already committed to the larger event.
The 4-H National Competition was held June 21-26 in Grand Island, Nebraska, a venue scheduled to host the event through at least 2030. The facility’s ranges and shooting accommodations make it the premier centralized location for the national gathering. This year, 737 competitors from 42 states participated across all divisions, filling the week with competition.
Mississippi’s four-member travel team placed eighth overall on each of the first two days of competition and 13th on the final day, finishing 10th overall. The group shot alongside a field of 92 competitors spanning teams from more than two dozen states.
“The kids wanted to have done better, but I was very proud of them,” Murphy said. “Making it there is a big accomplishment. Competing at that level is tough.”
The Mississippi 4-H state director shared that pride, Murphy said, expressing admiration for how the team represented the state.
Among the individual standouts, team member Olivia Skou turned in the squad’s best individual finish, placing ninth overall in the 3×20 air rifle event — a result that reflects both her talent and the countless hours she has logged on the range.
A quiet leader
Murphy’s role as the 4-H state coach was a natural extension of work he was already doing. Three of the four members of Mississippi’s national team train with him regularly at the Prentiss County location. The fourth, a shooter from Lamar County, made the drive to Prentiss County several times to practice with the group before nationals, improving her score and contributing to the team’s overall effort.
For Murphy, 45, a Booneville native, coaching is something that found him through his own sons’ participation in the sport.
“I met Kevin Owens, director of Square1, through the organization — both of my sons were shooting at the time,” he said. “I stepped in to fill a void, and it snowballed from there.”
Coaching the shooters has been a rewarding experience for Murphy.
“It’s nice seeing kids accomplish something, being their best,” he said. “When something clicks, it gives you satisfaction. Seeing them progress is fulfilling. You learn about all different kinds of people, different walks of life.”
He wasn’t sure, he admits, whether he would take to coaching when he first started. The fist bumps and smiles since then have answered that question.
What’s ahead
About 20 kids shoot with the club regularly, though summer’s competing demands — church camps, ball leagues and family commitments — thin the ranks somewhat until fall. The travel team typically includes four shooters for events like the Daisy Nationals and expands to six to eight for CMP monthly meets and regional competitions.
The club welcomes anyone interested in participating. Respect, safety and a willingness to follow the rules are the only prerequisites.
“We’ll teach them everything else,” Murphy said.
The schedule ahead is full. The Daisy National event runs July 10-13 in Rogers, Arkansas, and the club will compete in both air rifle and BB gun. Shortly after, on July 17-18, older competitors (14 and up) will travel to the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pearl, outside Jackson, for the state 4-H competition. After that, the club returns to its regular rhythm of monthly matches across several divisions, with the 3×20 competition format currently a particular strength.
Those interested in joining the team may reach out through Murphy, through Owens or through their local 4-H extension office. Information is also available at square1outdoors.com or by emailing [email protected]. Those wishing to support the program financially can donate to the team’s travel fund through the Square1 website or contribute directly to 4-H.
The Prentiss County Sportsman’s Club is part of Square1 Outdoors, a youth- and family-oriented organization serving Northeast Mississippi. In addition to the Booneville location, Square1 operates the Sullivan Farms Recreational Shooting Area on Mt. Vernon Road in Tupelo.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
