DARKE COUNTY – The weather was perfect and the competition was strong when 10 Darke County girls competed Wednesday night in the Miss Annie Oakley Shooting Contest in preliminary action.
Tonight six of those girls will keep the contest going in the finals.
Yes, four of the girls were eliminated. Lexi Dillman, 14-year-old daughter of Brian Dillman and Leslie Clark, went out at 55 feet away from the balloon target; Isabella Gulley, 17year-old daughter of Chris Heckman and Christy Gulley, at 60 feet; Lona Dillman, daughter of Brian Dillman and Whitney Stump, at 70 feet; Alia Hunt, 15-year-old daughter of Chris and Dawn Hunt, at 80 feet; and Rachael Wright, daughter of Clint and Charlene Wright, at 85 feet away from target.
Those returning tonight for the finals are Ruby Delk, 12, and daughter of Megan and Ryan Delk; Samantha Beyersdorff, 15-year-old daughter of Ryan and Teresa Beyersdorff; Gracie Dietrich, 14-year-old daughter of Jeff and Tammy Dietrich; Lauren Wright, 19, daughter of Clint and Charlene Wright; and Alexa Robinson, 17-year-old daughter of Richard and Kristine Robison.
The finals begin at 6 p.m. today at the south end of the Darke County Fairgrounds.
Another highlight of last night’s competition was the selection of the best costume and that went to Lauren Wright.
“I made it myself,” said Lauren, who has been competing in this competition for five years. “I looked at previous pictures of Annie Oakley.”
The medals that adorned it belonged to her grandfather, Jerry Wright.
“I bought fabric for the shirt and sewed on appliques of red roses,” she added.
She also used the red theme on other parts of the outfit, including the hem of her skirt.
The Annie Oakley Shooting Committee extended a thank-you to Wieland Jewelers (Dean and Arlene Bankson) for the necklaces; Rose Post for the corsages and wreath; M&M Defense for the gift cards and t-shirts; and the Annie Oakley Center Foundation.
“We appreciate this sponsorship and dedication to the Annie Oakley Shooting Contest,” a spokesperson said.
