08-11-2005, 03:50 AM
[center][font "Times New Roman"][size 4]Record 1,564 Youths Compete in Scholastic Clay Target Program Event[/size][/font][/center]
[font "Times New Roman"]VANDALIA, Ohio—Youth shooting teams from Nebraska, Tennessee, California and Colorado claimed national titles—and a total of eight states were represented among the 15 medalling teams—at the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Trapshooting Championships. The competition was held Tuesday at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A record 1,564 youths in grades 12 and under competed at the event, surpassing last year’s field by more than 500 and producing the highest attendance in SCTP’s five-year history. All of these young shooters also had the chance to be a part of history, as the Grand, which will be held in Illinois next year, ends an 81-year run in Vandalia.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“It’s the end of an era, but everyone who was here to see the hundreds of young shooters knows that it’s also the beginning of a new era in trapshooting. The growth of SCTP nationwide has been phenomenal this year,” said Zach Snow of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which developed the youth program “The program’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to the hard work and commitment of volunteers around the country and the enthusiasm of these young competitors.” [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“We had a 50 percent increase in participation in one year and that is amazing,” Tom Arvis, president of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), said of the Aug. 9 youth competition. “I’m very conscious of the fact that these youngsters are the future of trapshooting.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A group of first-year shooters from Murfreesboro, Tenn., didn’t look like beginners in the junior novice division. The team from Blackman Middle School walked away with the national title by hitting 929 of their 1,000 targets and then breaking 111 of 125 in the competition’s final shoot off. The team includes Austin Hendrick, Spencer Sloan, Kayla Swatzell, Brandon Creech and Micah Meshotto, all of Murfreesboro. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“It’s amazing,” said coach Tony Greene. “They’ve only been shooting a year and I’ve only been coaching a year and here we are. It’s amazing how much these guys learned in a year. It’s just wonderful. They’re just overjoyed. They’re happy to be here and they’re happy to represent the State of Tennessee.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The A&A Shooters of Amador County, Calif., topped the field for a second straight year in the junior experienced division, breaking 949 targets and hitting 120 in the final shoot off. This year’s championship team includes Daniel Tate, Ryan Robles, Gary Creason, Wade Johnson and Cameron Warmby, all of Amador County. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“I think they competed very well all year,” said coach Richard Lynch. “They set tremendously high expectations for themselves, and to come all the way out here and come out on top again, I think is real testimony to their perseverance. They did a great job.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Nebraska dominated the field in both the senior experienced and senior novice divisions with teams from Lincoln and Mitchell Valley claiming national titles.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Mitchell Valley Trap Club came out on top in the senior experienced division, hitting 979 targets and breaking 120 in the final shoot off. The team includes Ethan Knox of Lymon and Doug Beebe, Brandon Nau, Ashley Nau and Zach Olivarez, all of Gering. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“I told them before we came that we had a chance to win, and we did,” said coach Norbert Nau. “They have worked really, really hard. In the first round we had a little struggle, but in the second we shot a really great number. They support each other. All five of them are honor-roll students. So they not only shoot good, but they’re good students, too.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Another Nebraska team, Lincoln Izaak Walton Lancaster County 4-H, took first place in the senior novice division, breaking 972 targets and hitting 117 in the final shoot off. The team includes Nathan Thompson of Denton, Seth Davison of Waverly, Mike Veburg of Lincoln, Justin Davison of Waverly, and Tyler Thompson of Denton.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“It was awesome,” said Veburg. “Everybody did very well. I guess it’s just the attitude of the whole team. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it. We’ve become really close and it’ll be kind of
breaking up. Two of our guys are graduating.” [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]In the rookie division, Colorado’s Pike’s Peak Tator Tots finished on top with a 969 total score, breaking 860 targets and hitting 109 in the final shoot off. The team includes Christopher Gwinner of Callahan, Benjamin Larson of Black Forest, Jacob Warner of Peyton, and Sean Delmonte and Jordan Carter of Colorado Springs.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“I am overjoyed to see these guys do so well and to come so far in four months of shooting to where they are today. It’s just unbelievable,” said coach Tony Farinaro. “Watching these guys come up, seeing them learn gun safety and teaching them how to shoot has just been a wonderful experience. Everyone is so proud of them.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Each shooter on the top three teams in each division was awarded college scholarship money in the form of savings bonds with first-place competitors receiving $1,000 each.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Though it claimed no first-place awards, Ohio placed four teams in this year’s SCTP elite. Other states taking medals include Georgia, Missouri and Texas.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCTP was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and offers young men and women in grades 12 and under the opportunity to compete as a team in trap, skeet and sporting clays for state and national championships as well as college scholarships. It's all designed to instill in participants safe firearms handling, commitment, responsibility, leadership and teamwork. Nearly 40 states and over 6,000 youths take part in SCTP. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]This year marks the Grand’s 106th year. The competition has been held at the ATA headquarters in Vandalia since 1924. Next year, the event will move to the still-under-construction World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Ill., which will cover more than two square miles with more than three times the amount of trap fields in Vandalia. Before settling in Vandalia in 1924, the Grand was held in various locations throughout the Midwest and Northeast.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Final Results[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Senior Experienced Division
1. Nebraska—Mitchell Valley Trap Club, 1,099 (979 plus 120 in shoot-off round). Team: Ethan Knox of Lymon, and Doug Beebe, Brandon Nau, Ashley Nau and Zachary Olivarez, all of Gering. Coached by Norbert Nau of Scottsbluff.
2. Ohio—Greene County Fish & Game Club, 1,097 (980 plus 117 in first shoot-off round, second shoot-off round determined final standing). Team: Mearl Hine, Zachary Hamilton, Ryan Schock, Jacob Harstel and Elijah Sanders, all of Dayton. Coached by Dave Schock and Karl Wilburn of Dayton.
3. Ohio—Sportsman’s Gun & Reel Claybusters, 1,097 (976 plus 121 in first shoot-off round, second shoot-off round determined final standing). Team: Jonathan Sterna of Amherst, Jacob Gebelle of Huron, Zachary King of Amherst, James Balog of Amherst, and Matt Snyder of Elyria. Coached by David Kelch of Grafton.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Senior Novice Division
1. Nebraska— Lincoln Izaak Walton Lancaster County 4-H, 1,089 (972 plus 117 in shoot-off round). Team: Nathan Thompson of Denton, Seth Davison of Waverly, Mike Veburg of Lincoln, Justin Davison of Waverly, and Tyler Thompson of Denton. Coached by Gene Veburg of Lincoln.
2. Tennessee—Shelbyville Central High School, 1,074 (957 plus 117 in shoot-off round). Team: Timmy Brown, Josh Lamb, Josh Phillips, Jordan Gunn, and Robert Hallum, all of Shelbyville. Coached by Dale Davis and Jimmy Williams of Shelbyville.
3. Georgia—Bridgecreek Clays, 1,053 (944 plus 109 in shoot-off round). Team: Adam Taylor of Huntsville, Grant Grantham of Douglas, Eric Spivey of Douglas, Zack Kennedy of Camella, and Cody Hersey of Douglas. Coached by Mike Simpson.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Junior Experienced Division
1. California—A&A Shooters, 1,069 (949 plus 120 in shoot-off round). Team: Daniel Tate, Ryan Robles, Gary Creason, Wade Johnson and Cameron Warmby, all of Amador County. Coached by Richard Lynch of Amador County.
2. Ohio—Sportsman’s Club Clay Crushers, 1,065 (950 plus 115 in shoot-off round). Team: Ryan Miller, Aaron Schifer, Matthew Ritz, Alisha Lutz and Clay Mesnard, all of Bloomville. Coached by Ron Waldock and Ken Lutz of Bloomville.
3. Missouri—Southwest, 1,055 (944 plus 111 in shoot-off round). Team: Tyler Cockrum of Washburn, Matthew Snyder of Washburn, Brittany Wright of Washburn, Steven Wallace of Seligman, and Briana Stephens of Washburn. Coached by Mike Vining of Cassville.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Junior Novice Division
1. Tennessee—Blackman Middle School, 1,040 (929 plus 111 in shoot-off round). Team: Austin Hendrick, Spencer Sloan, Kayla Swatzell, Brandon Creech and Micah Meshotto, all of Murfreesboro. Coached by Tony Greene of Murfreesboro.
2. Tennessee—Wingmasters, 1,038 (929 plus 109 in shoot-off round). Team: Jensen Smith, Drake Williams, Hunter Hodge, Joshua Triplett and Joey Williams, all of Paris. Coached by Monte Belew of Paris.
3. Texas—West Texas Sodbusters, 928 (scratched in shoot-off round). Team: Matthew Savage, Thomas Jenkins, Nic Latta, Ryan Wallace and Jonathon Royston, all of Seminole. Coached by Mike Savage of Seminole. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rookie Division
1. Colorado—Pike’s Peak Tator Tots, 969 (860 plus 109 in shoot-off round). Team: Christopher Gwinner of Callahan, Benjamin Larson of Black Forest, Jacob Warner of Peyton, and Sean Delmonte and Jordan Carter of Colorado Springs. Coached by Tony Farinaro of Falcon.
2. Tennessee—Big Springs Big Shots, 948 (847 plus 101 in shoot-off round). Team: Trey Hill, Trent Inman, Justin Langley, Hannah Bruer and Hunter McClish, all of Murfreesboro. Coached by Kevin Lockmiller and Randy Inman of Murfreesboro.
3. Ohio—Sportsman’s Club Clay Crushers, 945 (845 plus 100 in shoot-off round). Team: Nathan Waldock, Aaron Walter, Bryan Dearth, Ben Hahler and Joshua Reed, all of Bloomville. Coached by Ron Waldock of Attica. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The National Shooting Sports Foundation, formed in 1961, is a non-profit trade association. NSSF directs a variety of outreach programs to promote greater participation and a better understanding of the shooting sports, emphasizing safe and responsible ownership of firearms. For further information, please visit [url "http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/4V8JYS/8UXGEY7C/*http://www.nssf.org"]www.nssf.org[/url].[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]For more information about SCTP or to request photos, contact Steve Wagner, NSSF public relations director, at (203) 426-1320 or [url "mailto
wagner@nssf.org"]swagner@nssf.org[/url]. Visit SCTP online at [url "http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/4V8JYS/8UXGEY7C/*http://www.nssf.org/sctp"]www.nssf.org/sctp[/url]. [/font]
[signature]
[font "Times New Roman"]VANDALIA, Ohio—Youth shooting teams from Nebraska, Tennessee, California and Colorado claimed national titles—and a total of eight states were represented among the 15 medalling teams—at the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Trapshooting Championships. The competition was held Tuesday at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A record 1,564 youths in grades 12 and under competed at the event, surpassing last year’s field by more than 500 and producing the highest attendance in SCTP’s five-year history. All of these young shooters also had the chance to be a part of history, as the Grand, which will be held in Illinois next year, ends an 81-year run in Vandalia.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“It’s the end of an era, but everyone who was here to see the hundreds of young shooters knows that it’s also the beginning of a new era in trapshooting. The growth of SCTP nationwide has been phenomenal this year,” said Zach Snow of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which developed the youth program “The program’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to the hard work and commitment of volunteers around the country and the enthusiasm of these young competitors.” [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“We had a 50 percent increase in participation in one year and that is amazing,” Tom Arvis, president of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), said of the Aug. 9 youth competition. “I’m very conscious of the fact that these youngsters are the future of trapshooting.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]A group of first-year shooters from Murfreesboro, Tenn., didn’t look like beginners in the junior novice division. The team from Blackman Middle School walked away with the national title by hitting 929 of their 1,000 targets and then breaking 111 of 125 in the competition’s final shoot off. The team includes Austin Hendrick, Spencer Sloan, Kayla Swatzell, Brandon Creech and Micah Meshotto, all of Murfreesboro. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“It’s amazing,” said coach Tony Greene. “They’ve only been shooting a year and I’ve only been coaching a year and here we are. It’s amazing how much these guys learned in a year. It’s just wonderful. They’re just overjoyed. They’re happy to be here and they’re happy to represent the State of Tennessee.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The A&A Shooters of Amador County, Calif., topped the field for a second straight year in the junior experienced division, breaking 949 targets and hitting 120 in the final shoot off. This year’s championship team includes Daniel Tate, Ryan Robles, Gary Creason, Wade Johnson and Cameron Warmby, all of Amador County. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“I think they competed very well all year,” said coach Richard Lynch. “They set tremendously high expectations for themselves, and to come all the way out here and come out on top again, I think is real testimony to their perseverance. They did a great job.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Nebraska dominated the field in both the senior experienced and senior novice divisions with teams from Lincoln and Mitchell Valley claiming national titles.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Mitchell Valley Trap Club came out on top in the senior experienced division, hitting 979 targets and breaking 120 in the final shoot off. The team includes Ethan Knox of Lymon and Doug Beebe, Brandon Nau, Ashley Nau and Zach Olivarez, all of Gering. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“I told them before we came that we had a chance to win, and we did,” said coach Norbert Nau. “They have worked really, really hard. In the first round we had a little struggle, but in the second we shot a really great number. They support each other. All five of them are honor-roll students. So they not only shoot good, but they’re good students, too.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Another Nebraska team, Lincoln Izaak Walton Lancaster County 4-H, took first place in the senior novice division, breaking 972 targets and hitting 117 in the final shoot off. The team includes Nathan Thompson of Denton, Seth Davison of Waverly, Mike Veburg of Lincoln, Justin Davison of Waverly, and Tyler Thompson of Denton.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“It was awesome,” said Veburg. “Everybody did very well. I guess it’s just the attitude of the whole team. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it. We’ve become really close and it’ll be kind of
breaking up. Two of our guys are graduating.” [/font] [font "Times New Roman"]In the rookie division, Colorado’s Pike’s Peak Tator Tots finished on top with a 969 total score, breaking 860 targets and hitting 109 in the final shoot off. The team includes Christopher Gwinner of Callahan, Benjamin Larson of Black Forest, Jacob Warner of Peyton, and Sean Delmonte and Jordan Carter of Colorado Springs.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]“I am overjoyed to see these guys do so well and to come so far in four months of shooting to where they are today. It’s just unbelievable,” said coach Tony Farinaro. “Watching these guys come up, seeing them learn gun safety and teaching them how to shoot has just been a wonderful experience. Everyone is so proud of them.”[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Each shooter on the top three teams in each division was awarded college scholarship money in the form of savings bonds with first-place competitors receiving $1,000 each.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Though it claimed no first-place awards, Ohio placed four teams in this year’s SCTP elite. Other states taking medals include Georgia, Missouri and Texas.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]SCTP was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and offers young men and women in grades 12 and under the opportunity to compete as a team in trap, skeet and sporting clays for state and national championships as well as college scholarships. It's all designed to instill in participants safe firearms handling, commitment, responsibility, leadership and teamwork. Nearly 40 states and over 6,000 youths take part in SCTP. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]This year marks the Grand’s 106th year. The competition has been held at the ATA headquarters in Vandalia since 1924. Next year, the event will move to the still-under-construction World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Ill., which will cover more than two square miles with more than three times the amount of trap fields in Vandalia. Before settling in Vandalia in 1924, the Grand was held in various locations throughout the Midwest and Northeast.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Final Results[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Senior Experienced Division
1. Nebraska—Mitchell Valley Trap Club, 1,099 (979 plus 120 in shoot-off round). Team: Ethan Knox of Lymon, and Doug Beebe, Brandon Nau, Ashley Nau and Zachary Olivarez, all of Gering. Coached by Norbert Nau of Scottsbluff.
2. Ohio—Greene County Fish & Game Club, 1,097 (980 plus 117 in first shoot-off round, second shoot-off round determined final standing). Team: Mearl Hine, Zachary Hamilton, Ryan Schock, Jacob Harstel and Elijah Sanders, all of Dayton. Coached by Dave Schock and Karl Wilburn of Dayton.
3. Ohio—Sportsman’s Gun & Reel Claybusters, 1,097 (976 plus 121 in first shoot-off round, second shoot-off round determined final standing). Team: Jonathan Sterna of Amherst, Jacob Gebelle of Huron, Zachary King of Amherst, James Balog of Amherst, and Matt Snyder of Elyria. Coached by David Kelch of Grafton.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Senior Novice Division
1. Nebraska— Lincoln Izaak Walton Lancaster County 4-H, 1,089 (972 plus 117 in shoot-off round). Team: Nathan Thompson of Denton, Seth Davison of Waverly, Mike Veburg of Lincoln, Justin Davison of Waverly, and Tyler Thompson of Denton. Coached by Gene Veburg of Lincoln.
2. Tennessee—Shelbyville Central High School, 1,074 (957 plus 117 in shoot-off round). Team: Timmy Brown, Josh Lamb, Josh Phillips, Jordan Gunn, and Robert Hallum, all of Shelbyville. Coached by Dale Davis and Jimmy Williams of Shelbyville.
3. Georgia—Bridgecreek Clays, 1,053 (944 plus 109 in shoot-off round). Team: Adam Taylor of Huntsville, Grant Grantham of Douglas, Eric Spivey of Douglas, Zack Kennedy of Camella, and Cody Hersey of Douglas. Coached by Mike Simpson.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Junior Experienced Division
1. California—A&A Shooters, 1,069 (949 plus 120 in shoot-off round). Team: Daniel Tate, Ryan Robles, Gary Creason, Wade Johnson and Cameron Warmby, all of Amador County. Coached by Richard Lynch of Amador County.
2. Ohio—Sportsman’s Club Clay Crushers, 1,065 (950 plus 115 in shoot-off round). Team: Ryan Miller, Aaron Schifer, Matthew Ritz, Alisha Lutz and Clay Mesnard, all of Bloomville. Coached by Ron Waldock and Ken Lutz of Bloomville.
3. Missouri—Southwest, 1,055 (944 plus 111 in shoot-off round). Team: Tyler Cockrum of Washburn, Matthew Snyder of Washburn, Brittany Wright of Washburn, Steven Wallace of Seligman, and Briana Stephens of Washburn. Coached by Mike Vining of Cassville.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Junior Novice Division
1. Tennessee—Blackman Middle School, 1,040 (929 plus 111 in shoot-off round). Team: Austin Hendrick, Spencer Sloan, Kayla Swatzell, Brandon Creech and Micah Meshotto, all of Murfreesboro. Coached by Tony Greene of Murfreesboro.
2. Tennessee—Wingmasters, 1,038 (929 plus 109 in shoot-off round). Team: Jensen Smith, Drake Williams, Hunter Hodge, Joshua Triplett and Joey Williams, all of Paris. Coached by Monte Belew of Paris.
3. Texas—West Texas Sodbusters, 928 (scratched in shoot-off round). Team: Matthew Savage, Thomas Jenkins, Nic Latta, Ryan Wallace and Jonathon Royston, all of Seminole. Coached by Mike Savage of Seminole. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Rookie Division
1. Colorado—Pike’s Peak Tator Tots, 969 (860 plus 109 in shoot-off round). Team: Christopher Gwinner of Callahan, Benjamin Larson of Black Forest, Jacob Warner of Peyton, and Sean Delmonte and Jordan Carter of Colorado Springs. Coached by Tony Farinaro of Falcon.
2. Tennessee—Big Springs Big Shots, 948 (847 plus 101 in shoot-off round). Team: Trey Hill, Trent Inman, Justin Langley, Hannah Bruer and Hunter McClish, all of Murfreesboro. Coached by Kevin Lockmiller and Randy Inman of Murfreesboro.
3. Ohio—Sportsman’s Club Clay Crushers, 945 (845 plus 100 in shoot-off round). Team: Nathan Waldock, Aaron Walter, Bryan Dearth, Ben Hahler and Joshua Reed, all of Bloomville. Coached by Ron Waldock of Attica. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]The National Shooting Sports Foundation, formed in 1961, is a non-profit trade association. NSSF directs a variety of outreach programs to promote greater participation and a better understanding of the shooting sports, emphasizing safe and responsible ownership of firearms. For further information, please visit [url "http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/4V8JYS/8UXGEY7C/*http://www.nssf.org"]www.nssf.org[/url].[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]For more information about SCTP or to request photos, contact Steve Wagner, NSSF public relations director, at (203) 426-1320 or [url "mailto
wagner@nssf.org"]swagner@nssf.org[/url]. Visit SCTP online at [url "http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/4V8JYS/8UXGEY7C/*http://www.nssf.org/sctp"]www.nssf.org/sctp[/url]. [/font][signature]