Rogers, AR — In the high-stakes world of youth precision shooting, a single point on the written safety and rules test can mean the difference between a championship or an also-ran, as demonstrated at the 59th annual Daisy Nationals BB Gun and Air Rifle Championship Match (Daisy Nationals) held July 11–13 at the Rogers Convention Center.
Top individual and team competitors from across the United States converged for this premier event. Athletes aged 8–15 (BB Gun) and 15–20 (10-meter air rifle) competed in demanding matches emphasizing accuracy, gun safety, and sportsmanship. The format includes 40 shots for record at 5 meters for BB Gun (prone, standing, sitting, kneeling) using official Daisy Model 499B rifles, plus a critical written test component. Airgun is a three-position match shot at 10 meters.
In a thrilling display of BB precision, Violet Combs (Walton County, Ga.) narrowly edged out the rest of the field to win the Individual National Championship. With 500 points possible (400 in the shooting portion and 100 on the test), Combs posted an aggregate score of 490-23X (X indicates bullseyes). In second place was Olivia Barth (Walton County) who posted 487-19X. Scout Beaufeaux (Buffalo County Youth, Minn.) posted a 485-25X. However, looking at the shooting portion only, Combs scored a 390-23X and Beaufeaux a 389-25X, a single point off Champion Combs and with two more bullseyes. The difference came with test scores, where all five Walton County competitors scored 100s, and Beaufeaux scored a 96. Beaufeaux's aggregate final score was 485-25.
Strong performances across positions highlighted the competition's intensity. Individual leaders excelled in the balanced scoring that rewards consistency across all stages plus the test. Teams qualified for the Daisy Nationals by placing in the top three at their individual state matches.
Last year teams from South Dakota dominated the top three spots in the Team competition. This year another strong BB state, Georgia, stepped up to take the National Championship. Walton County won the Gold Medal with an aggregate score of 2,428-93X. Taking second was the Pierre Junior Shooters (S.D.) and Bronze went to a team out of Montana, the Gallatin Valley Sharp Shooters. Walton County also won the prestigious Paul T. Tiefer award that goes to the team that scores the highest on the test. Each member of Walton County scored perfect. In the Airgun Match, Austin Crawford (Marshall County 4H, S.D.) took home the Individual National Championship with an aggregate score of 559-26X. Winning the Silver was Ema Dissing from Lincoln County 4H Shooting Sports (S.D.) with a score of 556-20X. And with the Bronze was Amelia Crawford (Marshall County 4H) with an aggregate score of 544-13X.
In the Team Championship, it was the Marchall County 4H Sharpshooters, with an aggregate score of 2,167-66X with the Gold. Lincoln County 4H (S.D.) took the Silver, and Penns Valley Shooting Sports (Penn.) took the Bronze with a score of 2,045-36.
The event featured a Top Gun Shoot-Off for the top 10 competitors in both disciplines, offering scholarships up to $3,000 for education-related costs. Top teams also earned Daisy credit: $3,000 for National Champions, $2,000 for Silver, and $1,000 for Bronze.
"Daisy Nationals isn't just about hitting the bullseye—it's about building discipline, safety knowledge, and character in our youth shooters," said Daisy Public Relations Director Lawrence Taylor. "The test component reinforces that true champions master both the physical and mental aspects of the sport."
The competition drew participants from 14 states, continuing Daisy's legacy of promoting safe shooting sports and providing pathways to higher levels like Olympic-style training.
For full results, visit OrionResults.com or contact Daisy Outdoor Products.
About Daisy Outdoor Products: Daisy has been a leader in youth airguns and shooting sports education for over a century, fostering safety, marksmanship, and lifelong values through programs like the Daisy Nationals.