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Author: SSSF Staff

2017 Junior Olympic Development Camp a Huge Success!

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The Scholastic Clay Target Programs (SCTP) yearly Junior Olympic Development Camp (JODC) was another huge success! The camp, held this past August 7th – 13th at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado featured 24 athletes and 4 coaches from 16 states around the country who were selected to attend!

These athletes and coaches were able to take part in a camp designed to introduce them to the International Disciplines of Bunker Trap and International Skeet. Athletes were immersed in the day to day work of an Olympic athlete including training at a high altitude, nutrition, hydration and some really good training tips and techniques from Olympic caliber coaches like Terri DeWitt, Joe Buffa and Lance Bade!

“What an awesome opportunity for SCTP athletes to gain first-hand knowledge from the likes of these coaches!” Said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “I have been part of these camps for 8 years now and they just keep getting better and better. Thank you to USA Shooting and the summer resident athletes for also sharing their knowledge of the International Shooting sports and to the great athletes and coaches for attending!”

The JODC is another example of the doors that SCTP opens for athletes wanting to excel in the clay target shooting sports. SCTP, the official youth program and pipeline to USA Shooting has also started the SCTP / USA Shooting National Team, with Terri DeWitt at the helm as the official Head Coach! Athletes earn their way on to the team by attending and placing in the top 3 spots at SCTP’s International National Championships held each year in Colorado Springs, CO around the end of July. Only members in good standing of the SCTP are eligible for this great opportunity, so why not join now?!

Applications to attend this camp are available on our website around the middle of March each year. Coaches and athletes must be members of the Scholastic Clay Target Program to apply. Dedication to SCTP, attendance at state and national tournaments as well as scores shot in the American disciplines are all key factors in deciding who is picked to attend the camps.

SCTP Announces Its First SCTP College Virtual Match!

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The Scholastic Clay Target Program would like to announce its first ever College Virtual match. This match will take place the week of September 11th and end the week of October 16th, running for 6 weeks.

Participation is open to all registered SCTP College teams including Division I, II, III as well as 2 year college teams!

Colleges can participate in Trap, Skeet or both but must be registered and scored by the end of week 1 or September 17th.

Team scoring will be used for this match with the top 5 scores making up that College teams score for the week.

Further information will be posted on our website at www.sssfonline.org and the Virtual match will be open for registration very soon!

The SCTP College Virtual match will culminate into the SCTP College National Championships which will be held Friday, October 27 through Sunday, October 29 at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio. Again, open to all registered SCTP Teams and athletes.

See how your College team stacks up against College teams from around the country and all without any travel expenses!

Any questions, please contact any SCTP representative for help, or see our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on the virtual series.

We hope to see you all involved in this first ever event….

Tom Wondrash – SCTP National Director

2017 SCTP College Nationals

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Save the date for the 2017 SCTP National College Championship to be held Oct. 27-29, 2017. The 2017 SCTP National College Championship will be held at the Cardinal Center Campground and Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio.

So, make your plans to attend today. Online registration will soon be available through the SSSF’s SHOT system. Participating teams must be currently registered with the SSSF/SCTP for the 2017/2018 shooting season prior to attending.

The event is shaping up to be one of the best in SCTP history and the organization is expecting an impressive turnout. Participants are sure to have a blast, and as a bonus, the SCTP will award over $75,000 to Team Endowment Accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation.

To celebrate the Halloween weekend, the facilities will be decked out in “spooktacular” Halloween décor and participants can take part in a Saturday night costume contest. May the best ghoul win!

Considered Ohio’s premier public shooting sports facility, the Cardinal Center offers impressive trapshooting and sporting clays ranges, as well as an indoor heated pool, lake for fishing, lots of outdoor activities, and great facilities for family camping, including 400 camp sites, with nine standard cabins and 20 deluxe cabins available to rent. Wifi service is available on the grounds as well.

The center is located at I-71 (exit 140) and St. Rt. 61, just 30 miles north of Columbus. For those not keen on camping, there are a number of additional lodging options located within 15 minutes of the Cardinal Center.

Final 2017 SCTP-NSCA Tour Stop September 28/29

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Join the fun at the final SCTP-NSCA 2017 tour stop at the Southeast Regional at The Fork in Norwood, NC! All SCTP shooters are encouraged to attend and experience the atmosphere of one of the top sporting clays tournaments in the country.

  • Medallions will be awarded to the top sub-juniors and juniors based on the Preliminary Event.
  • Ladies medallions will be awarded in each concurrent as well.
  • Targets will count towards new NSCA-SCTP All-American Teams!
  • NSCA RULES WILL APPLY

Contact Nathan Boyd at nboyd@nssa-nsca.com or download the event flyer for additional information!

 

NSSA-NSCA/SCTP All-American Team

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The NSSA-NSCA All-American Team program is a partnership between the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) / National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA). The partnership promotes participation beyond SCTP competition and provides an easy way for youth and families to continue shooting via the multiple opportunities the NSSA/NSCA provide. Youth in the SCTP may participate in NSSA/NSCA registered competitions and compete for All-American honors.

The NSSA-SCTP All-American Team recognizes SCTP athletes who compete in National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) registered events. To be eligible for the SCTP All-American Team, a shooter must be a member in good standing with NSSA-NSCA and SCTP, must shoot a minimum of 500 12-gauge NSSA registered targets, and must shoot their respective SCTP state or regional shoot or the SCTP National Championships.

The NSSA-SCTP All-American Team will be determined via 12-gauge average. An athlete’s 12-gauge targets registered in the shooting year (January 1 to December 31) will be used to determine the team. The NSSA-SCTP All-American selection will be divided into six teams which include Open Sub-Junior, Lady Sub-Junior, Open Junior, Lady Junior, Open Collegiate, and Lady Collegiate. Eight shooters will be selected to each of the Sub-Junior and Junior teams. Athletes who are selected to an NSSA Sub-Junior, Junior, or Collegiate Concurrent All-American Team will not be eligible to make the NSSA-SCTP All-American Team.

See the NSSA-SCTP All American Team Standings Here

The NSCA-SCTP All-American Team recognizes SCTP athletes who compete in National Sporting Clays Association registered events. To be eligible for the SCTP All-American Team, a shooter must be a member in good standing with NSSA-NSCA and SCTP, must shoot a minimum of 500 NSCA registered targets, and must shoot their respective SCTP state or regional shoot or the SCTP National Championships. The NSCA-SCTP All-American Team will be determined via points earned by competing and placing against other SCTP athletes.

NSCA-SCTP All-American selection will be divided into four teams, including Open Sub-Junior, Lady Sub-Junior, Open Junior, and Lady Junior. Eight members will be selected to each team. Points can be earned from January 1 to December 31, with the team being selected in the spring of the following shooting year.

See the NSCA-SCTP All American Team Standings Here

DeWitt named as SCTP National Team Head Coach

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The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) has formalized an agreement to name Terri DeWitt as the 2017/2018 Head coach of the newly developed SCTP-USAS National Team!

DeWitt, a 20 year member of the US Army Marksmanship Unit’s shotgun team and 1996 Olympian in Woman’s Double Trap has agreed to head up the 12 person team (6 men / 6 ladies) that formally starts September 1st 2017 and runs through August 31st of 2018. Team members must earn their way on to the team by placing in the top 3 positions in Bunker Trap and International Skeet at the SCTP’s International National Championships held at the US International Shooting Park in Colorado Springs, CO. each year.

“The SCTP National Team will provide young shotgun athletes an amazing opportunity to enter the Olympic pipeline with support and guidance!” Said Terri DeWitt, Head Coach – SCTP National Team. “I’m tremendously excited to be a part of this program and look forward to working with these talented and highly motivated athletes. Congratulations to the SCTP, its sponsors, and to USA Shooting for making their shared Olympic vision a reality.”

Terri’s 4th place finish in the ‘96 Olympics, 5 time National record holder, earner of 6 National Championship Titles and 16 World Cup & World Championship medals certainly make her more than qualified to lead this team!

“We couldn’t be more proud to name Terri as the head coach!” Said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “This opportunity for SCTP athletes has been in consideration for several years now and with the help from USA Shooting we are extremely happy to get it off the ground. Opening doors and helping define a clearer path to the Olympic dream is what the SCTP is all about!”

Terri is also a Level 3 NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor and is finishing her Master’s degree in sport coaching as well as attending the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Coach School to attain international certification. Most recently, Terri served as the MidwayUSA Foundation Program Manager for the eastern U.S.

SCTP National Team Sponsorship opportunities are also available, if interested please contact Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director at twondrash@sssfonline.com

Featured All-Scholastic Team Member – Drew Beeler

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Name: Drew Beeler
State: Tennessee
Program: SCTP and SASP
Team: McKenzie Shooting Sports

How the SCTP and SASP have helped me as a young person: Both the SCTP and the SASP have helped me learn to focus and have more self discipline to achieve personal goals and accomplishments.

About the NRA/SSSF All Scholastic Team

The All-Scholastic Team recognizes the top student athletes in the SSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting Program for their achievements in the classroom, on the range and in their communities. Through an application process, 2017 All-Scholastic Team Members have proven academic excellence by posting 3.0 or better grade point averages, shooting excellent scores in recent competition (95% in trap or skeet, 85% in sporting clays, 88% in international trap/skeet or 75 seconds or less for SASP) and by demonstrating outstanding community involvement.

See profiles for the 2017 SSSF/NRA All Scholastic Team Members

MidwayUSA Foundation Grants Nearly $1.4 Million To Youth Shooting Teams

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Columbia, MO – The MidwayUSA Foundation has wrapped up their June 2017 Team Endowment Program grant cycle and paid nearly $1.4 million to 492 youth shooting teams. All of the teams that benefit from this payout are part of the Team Endowment Program at the MidwayUSA Foundation and are eligible to draw a grant each year to use for shooting team expenses.

“Our team grant cycle plays a key role in achieving our mission and we are thrilled more teams continue to take advantage of our program. We are funding almost 100 more youth shooting teams this June than June of 2016 and we have high hopes that growth will continue,” said MidwayUSA Foundation Executive Director, Randy Moeller.

Teams with a balance in their Team Endowment are eligible to apply for a team grant once per year by completing the MidwayUSA Foundation grant application. Youth shooting teams can receive 5% of their endowment balance to use for team expenses, such as ammunition, travel, entry fees, uniforms, targets, and more. Right now, over 2,500 teams have a balance, totaling over $96 Million. The next deadline to apply for a team grant is December 15. Teams interested in their eligibility can email grants@midwayusafoundation.org.

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain the shooting sports industry by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is 100% tax deductible and supports the mission to help communities and organizations raise funds to support their youth shooting team. For more information about how the MidwayUSA Foundation is changing the future of youth shooting sports, please visit www.midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

Beyond the Clays – The 2017 SSSF Championships

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Article Courtesy Michael Sabbeth and Fiocchi USA. Photo credit to Carla Jennings Photography.

“We are looking at the future,” Chris Hodgdon said as his hand swept like a conductor’s baton in an arc toward the line of trap fields. Hundreds of young shooters were pulverizing clay targets, laughing and speaking words of support to their teammates. We were at the 2017 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships sponsored by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation. The Cardinal Trap Shooting Facility in Marengo, Ohio, developed through the magnanimity of the Fishburn family, hosted the event.

Competitive shooters, ages 8 to 23 from 32 states, competed for national titles in the shotgun disciplines of American Trap, Handicap Trap, Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles, Skeet, Skeet Doubles and Sporting Clays. Pistol and rifle competitors competed for steel shooting titles in Rimfire Pistol, Centerfire Pistol, Iron Sight Rifle and Optics Rifle divisions. About 2,700 athletes on 255 teams boasted 6,400 event entries. Thirty-three states were represented and an estimated 1.26 million shots were fired in the competition events! One hundred and five SCTP student athletes will receive scholarships totaling $83,000.

Prior to SSSF, many students never or had only rarely shot a gun. Feeder organizations such as 4H and the Boy Scouts gave them opportunities to try. Many parents asked SSSF to help their children get involved in shooting. The children loved the sports, become members and gained deeper knowledge about shooting.

I learned many teams were created by the desire of a parent to enable their child to shoot responsibly and routinely. Young shooters told me the attractions of these sports: they love to shoot, they value opportunities to improve, they welcome challenges, they can be competitive or just have fun, and, unlike most sports, they can participate throughout their lives.

The vast property was lush and green with stands of hardwoods and cornfields, the earth’s fragrance more alluring than the finest perfumes. The range was a beehive of activity. Electric carts darted about like bugs on a pond and hundreds of shooters carried shotguns as nonchalantly as if holding bags of popcorn. Anna Van Nostrand, instructor and CZ representative, crafted a beautiful insightful phrase: “This is an environment of positivity.”

I arrived on Wednesday, the CZ-USA recognition day. Dave Miller, CZ’s shotgun manager and exhibition shooter, was my host. Dave shot his way into the Guinness Book of Records by breaking 3,653 clays in 60 minutes! CZ has been a Platinum sponsor of this event for five years. Dave tutored me on the sporting clays, make-or-break and crazy-quail disciplines. He even taught me to break targets shooting from my hip!

These programs require great effort. Ben Berka, President/Executive Director of SSSF, and Louise Terry, Chairman of the SSSF Board, told of the thousands of hours of organizing the event and the engagement of hundreds of volunteers. But it’s all worth it, they said. The youngsters are learning skills, get outside away from iPhones and, most significantly, develop a dedication to the American heritage and an appreciation for individual liberty. “The SSSF is about more than just breaking pieces of clay,” Louise told me.

Support for SSSF signifies a commitment to shooting’s future. Companies such as CZ-USA, Hodgdon Powder and Fiocchi USA routinely make substantial financial commitments. Observing this championship, I am comforted that the future of shooting looks bright indeed.

Michael Sabbeth is a lawyer and writer in Denver, Colorado. Please see his book The Good, The Bad & The Difference: How to Talk with Children About Values. Now in an eBook, available at Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/c5flmmu

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