SSSF Donates Over $200,000 to Scholastic Clay Target Program Team Endowment Accounts

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The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) recently donated $207,628 to Team Endowment Accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation. Teams earned funds by raising money through Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) sponsored fundraising activities and by placing in SCTP national events. SSSF also matched national governing body fees paid by SCTP teams through the SSSF’s SHOT data-system. This donation has benefited 336 teams participating in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) across 35 different states.

The donations from SSSF to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Accounts established to benefit SCTP and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) member-teams are made possible, in part, by grants to the SSSF from the Tulsa Community Foundation Youth Shooting Fund established and funded by the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

Since 2014 the SSSF has donated nearly $6.5 million to benefit 630 SCTP and SASP team endowment accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation.

The SSSF provides SCTP and SASP member-teams the opportunity to earn MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account funds by participating in SCTP and SASP fundraising activities benefiting local shooting sports communities and through placements in SSSF-sponsored competitions . Please contact the SSSF for more information on how your shooting team can earn team endowment funding for their account at the MidwayUSA Foundation.

The Team Endowment Account Program at the MidwayUSA Foundation gives a community the ability to financially support a competitive youth shooting sports program or financially assist in the start-up of a new youth shooting sports program. The team can then request a grant of up to 5% of their endowment account balance once each year, in either December or June, to pay for team expenses. There are no fees associated with a MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account. For more information about how the MidwayUSA Foundation is changing the future of youth shooting sports, please visit midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

SCTP National Team Named at International Championships

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The 2018 Scholastic Clay Target Program International National Championships held at the International shooting park in Colorado Springs, CO. are officially in the record book!

Over 120 athletes competed in International Skeet as well as International Trap (Bunker Trap) over the 6 day event which started on July 22nd and ended July 27th.

This annual event takes place at the home grounds of USA Shooting on Ft. Carson Army base just south of Colorado Springs and is run with the help of USA Shooting and its staff. 43 Teams of athletes from 15 states showed up to try and take the International top honors with WI (25) and FL (13) leading the pack with the most athletes attending this years tournament by state!

Taking top senior division squad honors by 45 targets in international skeet was Union Grove Broncos (WI) scoring 275 led by Cole Hammond (99), Emily Rasmussen (92) and Aimee Spiering (84). Sauk County Youth Shooting Team (WI) was second at 230 with Joshua Corbin leading the way (109) along with squad mates Quin Schuppner (62) and Lucas Riberich (59). Third place went to Tampa Bay Clays (FL) at 218 with Brayden Sasser (80), Cody Sharp (77) and Austin Eastman (61). Top intermediate division squad honors in international skeet went to Sauk County Shooting Team with Riley Minette (76), Bo Schuppner (68) and Madeline Corbin (60).

The bunker trap senior title was taken by Tampa Bay Clays (FL) with a squad score of 329 fired by Jack Brosseau (118), Ryan Ledbetter (109) and Kevin Whitehead (102). Second place went to Minute Man Sharpshooters (MA) at 314 with Alexia Davos (107), Sean Cannistraro (105) and Kurtis Grover (102). Top collegiate division squad honors went to Grand View University (IA) with a 308 led by Hunter Anderson (107), Trenton Cheers (105) and Reese Howard (96). The intermediate squad title was captured by Sauk County Youth Shooting Team (WI) firing a 282 by Madeline Corbin(97), Riley Minette (95) and  Bo Schuppner (90).

All results with complete leaderboards are available on the SHOT System at: http://bit.ly/2MxfWem

“What a great tournament for our athletes competing in the International Disciplines!” said Tom Wondrash, SCTP’s National Director and tournament director. “The weather was fantastic and the support and help from USA Shooting was A+. I think the families and athletes had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed their time in Colorado Springs. Our staff along with SCTP National Team head coach, Terri DeWitt worked hard all week to provide an exceptional atmosphere for all that attended!”

The 2018/2019 SCTP National Team members were also chosen from the top placers in International Skeet and Bunker Trap, the new seasons team is as follows:

2019 SCTP International Skeet National Team
Gracin Anderson, TN
Emily Rasmussen, WI
Jay Bible, FL
Anthony Nomina, CO
Chris Freeman, MI
Joshua Corbin, WI
Erin Lokke, MN

2019 SCTP Bunker Trap National Team
Monica Dale WI
Heather Broski TN
Heather Argue TN
Jack Olsen CO
Peter Meola FL
Mathew Wells WI
Meredith Bernau WI
Emilio Carvalho CA

The SCTP National Team is a stepping stone for athletes wanting to take the Olympic path, the SCTP is the official youth program of USA Shooting and feeder program to Team USA.  National team members receive advanced coaching and support in the international clay target sports, a USA Shooting jacket, paid fall selection match fees and ammo, along with an SCTP National Team vest. National team slots are earned at each year’s SCTP International Nationals. The Scholastic Clay Target Program is the official youth shooting program to USA Shooting and provides a pipeline for future international shotgun competitors.

For more information on how to get involved with SCTP and the international disciplines of International Skeet and Bunker Trap, please contact any of the SCTP staff.

Photos courtesy USA Shooting.

Eric Long, Jr. Wins 2018 Browning Scholarship

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The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Browning are pleased to announce the winner of the 2018 Browning Scholarship earned at the National Championships in Marengo, Ohio.  Now in its third year, the scholarship opportunity is open to all high school competitors in the 16-yard trap singles competition who are shooting a Browning shotgun and registered for the scholarship opportunity.

Eric Long, Jr. (Davenport, IA) bested 216 other shooters firing Brownings and tied with last year’s Browning scholarship winner, Woodrow Glazer (New Prauge, MN) shooting an impressive 199×200 and winning the tie with a reverse long run of 187 straight.  Long shot the trap singles event with his Browning 725 un-single and also shot skeet and sporting clays events with a Browning Special Sporting. Long is a member of the North Scott Trap Team with many of his teammates also shooting 725s.

Browning provided the scholarship in the amount of $6,450 based off the proceeds of a raffle for a Browning 725 conducted at the national tournament.

“I’ve been shooting Browning’s since my 8th grade year so I really appreciate Browning sponsoring the high gun scholarship at the SCTP Nationals” said Long. “This scholarship is a huge assistance for my family and I and will help me continue my education and shooting career at Iowa Central.”

Long will be attending Iowa Central Community College this fall studying criminal justice with plans for a law enforcement career. Long will also be a member of the shooting team at Iowa Central.

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation has awarded over $83,000 in college scholarships previously this year.

2018 Nationals Gun Winners

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The 2018 Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program National championships had many winners, both on and off the range! A total of 70 firearms were awarded during nationals and below are some of the highlights. Congratulations to everyone who participated and supported the SCTP and SASP!

Browning 725 Winner  – Larry Cooper, Tennessee
This raffle supported the Browning scholarship winner, Eric Long, Jr. who earned the $6,450 college scholarship.

Blaser F16 Winner – Mike King, Ohio
The Blaser F16 raffle supports SCTP scholarship recipients and the SCTP!

Beretta 960 Winner – Sue Tucker, Michigan

SKB 90TSS Trap Combo – Victoria Merrit, Kentucky

CZ-USA All American Trap – David Rivers, Tennessee

Browning BT-99 Midway Edition – Lori Batcheldor, Illinois
This gun was drawn from those who joined or renewed with a SSSF Supporting Membership during Nationals Week!

Kolar Low Max Gun Winner – Wayne Werner, Iowa
This raffle supported SCTP teams across the country with the opportunity for teams to earn additional funds to their Team Endowment accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation based on total team ticket sales.

Here are the top teams earning MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Funds via the Kolar raffle:

$8,000 – 1st place – BHS Demons (WI) – 617 tickets

$7,000 – 2nd place – St. Charles Shot Crew (IL) – 500 tickets

$6,000 – 3rd Place – Ida County (IA) – 479 tickets

$5,000 – 4th Place – Allen Eagles (TX) – 400 tickets

$4,000 – 5th Place – Mid Carolina Young Guns (SC) – 310 tickets

Nearly 2,700 Youth Compete at SASP/SCTP Nationals

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The Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program National Championships were conducted July 14-21 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. Youth from 26 states participated in the eight day event with 2,692 competitors putting over one million rounds down range.

Highlights of the week-long event included Wednesday evening’s Opening Ceremonies, Thursday’s pizza party, Friday’s ice cream social and college recruiting day plus the filming of a major motion picture about our sport!

Scholastic Clay Target Program competition events included 16 yard trap, handicap trap, trap doubles, skeet, skeet doubles, sporting clays and bunker trap.

SCTP Award Ceremonies for Skeet and Sporting Clays were held on Thursday evening and for Trap, Skeet Doubles and High Over All on Saturday.

SCTP Main Event H.O.A. results:

1st Place – Lake Oconee Shotgun Team (Georgia) – 2,112
2nd Place – Forest City Juniors (Georgia) – 2,106
3rd Place – Central Georgia Elite Shooters (Georgia) – 2,103
4th Place – North Scott Trap Team (Iowa) – 2,102
5th Place – PC Eagles (Iowa) – 2,074

SCTP High School H.O.A. results:

1st Place – North Scott Trap Team (Iowa) – 2,865
2nd Place – PC Eagles (Iowa) – 2,791
3rd Place – Allen Eagles Competitive Shooting Team (Texas) – 2,781
4th Place – Union Grove Broncos Shooting Club (Wisconsin) – 2,757
5th Place – Marquette Hiltoppers Trap Team (Wisconsin) – 2,744

Complete results for the 2018 SCTP National Championships available here: http://bit.ly/2LCYXWC

The Scholastic Action Shooting Program events included competition in rimfire pistol, centerfire pistol, rifle optics, rifle iron sights, 1911 and pistol caliber carbine (PCC).  Award Ceremonies were held on Saturday evening and for the 5th year in a row the Lake Country Action Shooters of Wisconsin won the Senior Division of Centerfire Pistol!

Centerfire Pistol – Senior Division results:
1st Place – Lake Country Action Shooters -186.36
2nd Place – Central Florida Rifle & Pistol Club – 207.66
3rd Place – Arnold Junior shooters Red – 230.16

Other notable results for the SASP Rifle Competitions included two athletes, Ethan Inocando and Nate Gibson, who shot sub 30 second match times, which has never been done before at the SASP National Championships.

Optics Rifle Men results:
1st Place – Ethan Inocando (South Texas Shooters) – Senior/Varsity- 29.06
2nd Place – Nate Gibson (Steel Shooters of Traer) –  Intermediate/Advanced  – 29.68
3rd Place – Holdon Perez – South Texas Shooters – 30.92

Complete results for the 2018 SASP National Championships available here:  http://bit.ly/2NLjWUH

The Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program introduced a new event at this year’s National Championships – the Top Gun Challenge. Over the years SCTP and SASP watched the steady increase in athletes shooting multiple disciplines in both their programs at nationals. They wanted to find a way to recognize the commitment and stamina these athletes have shown competing in so many events, over the course of the week. CZ-USA, a large sponsor of both SCTP and SASP graciously offered to sponsor the top prize for the winner. CZ-USA donated a Shotgun, a Rifle and a Pistol to SCTP/SASP and awarded all three prizes to the winners.

Top Gun Winners:
Tom Keeshan – North Scott Trap Team (Iowa) – Rookie/Intermediate/Varsity Division
Mark Beardsley  –  Mason Dixon Shooters (Pennsylvania) – College Division

View complete Top Gun standings here

Side competitions held during the week included Make a Break and Last Competitor Standing.

Make a Break Winner, Todd Hitch of the William Blount Shooting Team, received the Grand Prize, a Blaser F16 Sporting Shotgun donated by Double Guns of Nashville.

The first of two Last Competitor Standing Competitions was held Wednesday evening following the Opening Ceremonies. Over 550 athletes stood shoulder to shoulder and competed for the title of Champion in the Men’s, Ladies and Collegiate Divisions. The second competition was held on Friday night. Winners received custom championship belt buckles and the Men’s and Ladies Division winners won SKB IS300 or Beretta A300 shotguns.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2019 SCTP and SASP National Championships for July 13-20 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio!

August is National Shooting Sports Month

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NEWTOWN, CT — August is National Shooting Sports Month®, a time to celebrate one of America’s great pastimes — target shooting — a safe, fun activity enjoyed by millions of people across the country, with millions more wanting to take their first shots.

Research by the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) shows that 24 million Americans are very interested in learning about the shooting sports, making National Shooting Sports Month the perfect time for someone to give target shooting a try. There are dozens of sports from which to choose, from hitting steel targets with handguns and rifles to breaking clay targets in the shotgun sports of trap, skeet and sporting clays.

“The shooting sports truly offer something for everyone,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF President and CEO. “A day at the range gives people an opportunity to tune out distractions, learn a new skill, socialize and share their experiences.”

LetsGoShooting.org, a new website developed by NSSF, is the place to find information about National Shooting Sports Month and the many target shooting sports available. At LetsGoShooting.org, you can also find a shooting range or firearms retailer near you, learn about shooting and sales events, print targets, watch instructional videos and learn how to safely handle and store firearms.

And don’t forget the Trigger Time Sweepstakes, which is a big part of National Shooting Sports Month. You’ll be able to enter the sweepstakes at LetsGoShooting.org for a chance to win great prizes totaling more than $35,000 in weekly drawings.

NSSF, the trade association for the firearms industry, launched National Shooting Sports Month last year to great success. During that time, recent shooting sports trends, such as more women taking up target shooting and more first-time participants, were obvious at ranges and firearms retailers across the country.

“One of the many people interested in trying target shooting may well be in your family — a daughter, son or spouse — or a friend just waiting for you to ask them to spend a day at the range,” said NSSF’s Zach Snow, Director of Shooting Range Services. “Extend that invitation — you’ll be glad you did.”

Don’t have a mentor? No problem. Shooting ranges work with newcomers all the time and can help you get started with safe, supervised instruction.

Snow encourages the use of the hashtag #LetsGoShooting on social media. “Tell us about your experience on our Facebook page, share your Instagram and Twitter posts,” he said. “It’s going to be fun month, and we want to know how everyone is celebrating.”

Spend a day at the range. Learn more about National Shooting Sports Month and target shooting at LetsGoShooting.org.

Evan Walechka and Victoria Hendrix capture Championship Titles in Friday’s Last Competitior Standing Competition

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Once again, the trap fields at the Cardinal Shooting Center were again lined up as far as the eye could see as shooters of all ages and sizes stood shoulder to shoulder to compete for some great prizes and the title of Last Competitor Standing on Friday night. Prizes were awarded to the Top 8 Finishers in the Men’s and Ladies Division and the Top 2 Finishers in the College Division.

LADIES DIVISION
1st – Victoria Hendrix – AZ Ben Avery (Beretta A300 & Belt Buckle)
2nd – Nicole Breese – IA Solon Spartan (Shamrock Leather Shooting Bag)
3rd – Angie Wolfert – WI Waterford Wolverines (RE Ranger Phantom Shooting Glasses)
4th – Jessica Strasser – WI Waterford Wolverines (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases Ammo)
5th – Aimee Spiering – WI Union Grove Bronco’s (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases Ammo)
6th – Kiera Wood – WI Hudson Raiders (2 – Cases Fiocchi Ammo)
7th – Savana Rasmussen – WI Union Grove Bronco’s (2 – Cases Fiocchi Ammo)
8th – Skylar Reid – GA Central Georgia Elite (1 – Case Fiocchi Ammo)

MEN’S DIVISION
1st – Evan Walechka – WI Jefferson Sportsmens Club (Beretta A300 – Belt Buckle)
2nd – Alex Vanmiddlesworth – MI Fudd Dusters Shooting Team (Shamrock Leather Shooting Bag)
3rd – Evan Barr – OH Moulton Young Guns (RE Ranger Phantom Shooting Glasses)
4th – Brice Matney – KY Smokin Dragons (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases Ammo)
5th Michael Moore – IA North Scott Trap Team (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases Ammo)
6th – Blake Dekker – WI Rocket Trap (2 – Cases Fiocchi Ammo)
7th – Jacob Dies – IA North Scott Trap Team (2 – Cases Fiocchi Ammo)
8th – Isaac Halsne – WI Flyway Clayslayers (1 – Case Fiocchi Ammo)

COLLEGIATE DIVISION
1st – Matt Chlupach – IA Ankeny Centenial Jaguars (Shamrock Leather Shooting Bag)
2nd – Brennan Kamer – KY NKTG (1 – Case of Fiocchi Ammunition)

This time the Men’s Division Champion, Evan Walechka, bested Ladies Champion, Victoria Hendrix in the “Champion of Champions” shoot off and collected the Travel Case.

Congratulations to all the winners in each division!

What’s Happening at Nationals

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The 2018 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) national championships kicked off last Saturday, July 14 and concludes on Saturday, July 21. The event is being hosted by the Cardinal Shooting Center located near Marengo, OH.

A total of 275 teams from 26 states are participating – some as close as Ohio and as far as Washington. Over 2,700 athletes are scheduled to participate with over 1.25 million competition shots expected to be fired over 8 days. Athletes from around the country are participating in trap, doubles trap, handicap trap, skeet, doubles skeet, sporting clays, bunker trap, action pistol and action rifle events. Many athletes shoot multiple events translating to almost 7,000 total event entries for the eight day competition.

In addition to the main competition events there are many popular side events including the “Last Competitor Standing” shotgun competition and the “Beat the Pro” pistol side match.

When not shooting, athletes and their families have been spending time with the dozens of vendors on the Cardinal Center grounds and visiting special guests such as Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA and founders of the MidwayUSA Foundation. The Potterfield’s have donated over $100 million to youth shooting sports organizations and teams across the country! Because of generous grants made possible by the Potterfield’s, the SSSF has been able to contribute nearly $8 million to SCTP and SASP Team Endowment accounts held at the MidwayUSA Foundation. Larry and Brenda enjoyed a day on the grounds featuring a team meet and greet, rifle shooting and trapshooting with youth athletes.

Additionally, pro shooter clinics have been conducted for all coaches and athletes to learn. Clinics have featured Dave Miller, Matt Hopkins, Max Michel, Lena Miculek and Ashley Rheuark.

Competition results can be found by following these links:

Stay tuned to our blog and social media for complete coverage of events from the rest of the week! Also, be sure to search on our official event hashtags #SCTPNationals2018 and #SASPNationals2018 for additional news and photos!

Over 550 Athletes compete in Wednesday’s “Last Competitor Standing” competition at SCTP/SASP National Championships

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One of the most popular attractions at the SCTP/SASP National Championships each year is the Last Competitor Standing competition. This year over 550 athletes competed on Wednesday night after the Opening Ceremonies. The trap fields at the Cardinal Shooting Center were lined up as far as the eye could see as shooters of all ages and sizes stood shoulder to shoulder to compete for some great prizes and the ultimate title of last “man” or “lady” standing. Prizes were awarded to the Top 8 Finishers in the Men’s and Ladies Division and the Top 2 Finishers in the College Division.

LADIES
1st – Reanna Frauens – FL Young Guns @ Quail Creek (SKB IS300 – Belt Buckle)
2nd – Nicole Brees – IA Solon Springs (Shamrock Leather Shooting Bag)
3rd – Anna Feldman – NE Marion Trap Team (RE Ranger Phantom Shooting Glasses)
4th – Chloe Pemberton – TN South Gibson Trap Team (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases ammo)
5th – Morgan Clark – WI Flyway Clayslayers (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases ammo)
6th – Aimee Spiering – WI Union Grove Bronco’s (2 Cases Nobel Sport Ammo)
7th – Grace Voth – NE Marion Trap Team (2 Cases Nobel Sport Ammo)
8th – Jessica Ciezki – WI Waterford Wolverines (1 Case Nobel Sport Ammo)

MENS
1st – Kaden Westphal – CO St. Mary’s Trap Team (SKB IS300 – Belt Buckle)
2nd – Ethan Jensen – WI Burlington High School Demons (Shamrock Leather Shooting Bag)
3rd – Tyler VanPatten – WI Burlington High School Demons (RE Ranger Phantom Shooting Glasses)
4th – Wyatt Strasser – WI Waterford Wolverines (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases ammo)
5th – Hunter Pickerign – WI Menominee Mustangs (Shamrock Leather Shell Holder – 2 cases ammo)
6th – Dawson Sterner – PA Mason Dixon Claybusters (2 Cases Nobel Sport Ammo)
7th – George Clark – WI Marquette H.S. (2 Cases Nobel Sport Ammo)
8th – Gus Peterson – WI Osceola Trap Team (1 Case Nobel Sport Ammo)

COLLEGE
1st – Sam Nehmey – WI Marquette H.S. (Shamrock Leather Shooting Bag)
2nd – Cameron Asala – WI Marquette H.S. (1 Case of Nobel Sport Ammo)

In a “Champion of Champions” battle of the sexes competition 1st Place Ladies Division Champion, Reanna Frauens, bested Men’s Division Champions, Kaden Westphal and was awarded a Bob Allen Boyt Travel Gun Case.

Congratulations to all the Top Finishers in each division and good luck to all those who compete in Friday evening’s Last Man Standing competition!

SCTP National Team Members Compete at Junior Olympic Nationals

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Over 200 junior International Trap and Skeet athletes converged in Colorado Springs June 21-29 for the 2018 USA Shooting Junior Olympic National Championships.  Of those 200 young athletes, nine were wearing SCTP National Team vests: Maddy Bernau, Heather Broski, Jack Brosseau, Trevor Evelhair, AJ Nomina, Molly Sheehan, Mark Shields, Madeleine Taylor, and Tyler Theide (Cole Barrett withdrew from Men’s Skeet due to illness).

After a week of capricious Colorado weather that included extreme heat, strong winds, lightning, and hail, four SCTP National Team members will be trading their SCTP vests for a USA Shooting Junior Team or Junior Squad vest.  Consistent with the mission of the SCTP National Team program as a pipeline for USA Shooting’s upcoming junior talent Bernau, Brosseau, and Shields have graduated to the major leagues.  Bernau and Brosseau both fought their way to silver medals in Women’s and Men’s Trap, respectively.  Their second-place finish places them on USA Shooting’s Junior National Team. Mark Shields, with his fourth-place finish in Men’s Skeet, will be added to USA Shooting’s Junior Squad. Heather Broski also made the Women’s Trap final, taking home the gold medal in the J2 age category (age 15-17). In addition, Broski and teammate Jeff Holguin (U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit) finished 5th out of 21 teams in USA Shooting’s first Mixed Team Trap Selection Match.

“All of the SCTP National Team members performed extremely well this week.  They displayed great resilience and determination in spite of less than optimum weather conditions.  Assistant Skeet Coach Joe Buffa and I could not be prouder of these athletes.  All of them represented our program with integrity and professionalism and I look forward to working with next year’s athletes,” remarked Head Coach Terri DeWitt.

Next year’s SCTP National Team will be selected at the SCTP International National Championships in Colorado Springs, July 22-27.

Photos courtesy USA Shooting

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