SCTP Blog Archives - Page 45 of 60 - Scholastic Clay Target Program

Trap, It’s A Family Thing

Written on July 18, 2015.

Carter Kramer only started shooting trap this past October. But the 12 year old from Quincy, Illinois, was already an active hunter. And while he hunted duck, dove and rabbit whenever the opportunity arose, he has fallen hard for those small orange clay disks.

“I love it because it’s a challenge,” said Carter about his foray into trap. And it’s a challenge the young shooter continues to rise to.

Though very new to trap he has already logged his first 25 straight, and yesterday, armed with a Remington 870 Wingmaster, Carter added another 87 targets to his career total when he and the rest of his Quivering Clays team shot their first 100 of the SCTP American Trap Team Championship.

Though his first 50 still alludes him, Carter is determined to reach that next trap milestone and move on to his first 100 straight this year.

Young athletes like Carter don’t get into trapshooting, and all the way to Sparta, Illinois, and the National Team Championships, without some family support. And for the Kramer family, it’s not just some support but a lot.

Carter’s father Dan started shooting clay targets at the age of 9 using an old spring loaded hand trap and is happy to see his oldest son getting into the sport. Younger brother Austin, 10, is ready to join Carter on the shooting line next year while 5 year old brother Kayden is still a couple years away from joining the Kramer squad.

The Kramers road tripped south to Sparta in force. Joining dad and the boys are mom, granddad and, of course, grandma Donna Lohmeyer who helps herd the boys when Carter isn’t shooting and the sights and sounds of a bustling national championship venue seem to pull them in every direction all at once.

Clearly trapshooting is, indeed, a family event.

Young Women Make Up 18.4% Of Athletes At Nationals

Written on July 18, 2015.

A 2013 research report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation entitled Analysis of Sport Shooting Participation in the U.S. 2008-2012 found that not only were new shooters likely to be younger with 66% falling in the 18-to-34-year-old age group, but they were also likely to be female. NSSF’s findings showed that 37% of new target shooters were women.

Looking around the grounds of the World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois, it’s clear that young women are a fast growing segment of both the Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Scholastic Pistol Program.

At this year’s National Team Championships those young ladies with shotguns slung over their shoulders, and those with a pistol tucked away in their range bag, make up 18.4% of the total 2,800-plus athletes in attendance. Among the 2,466 shotgunners they are 17.6% while on the pistol ranges they account for nearly a quarter (24.3%) of the 345 competitors.

If the broad smiles exhibited during Wednesday night’s Opening Ceremony are any indication, the number of young female athletes participating in the shooting programs of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is likely to grow.

Last Competitor Standing Results

Written on July 17, 2015.

One of the highlights of Nationals week for SCTP athletes is the opportunity to compete in a massive Last Competitor Standing event that give them the opportunity to win guns, gear, and even a scholarship. The event has two components on each of two nights: a competition for anyone who wishes to compete, with men’s and ladies winners taking home guns and other prizes, followed by a competition just for 2015 graduating seniors who competed for $1,000 scholarships presented by the NRA.

Wednesday night’s winners Caitlin Cravens and Lane Reinikainen

On Wednesday night, Caitlin Cravens of the Hudson Raiders (Wisconsin) and Lane Reinikainen of the Rice Lake Warbirds (Wisconsin) outlasted more than 500 other competitors to each win a CZ-USA 612 Trap gun.

Among the graduates who competed for $1,000 scholarships, Tori Mann of Maryland and Kolton Manning of Iowa won the Ladies’ and Men’s scholarships, respectively.

During Friday night’s competition, Andy Opp of Pinckneyville High School (IL) finished as the top men’s competitor, while Sabrina Peterson of St. Charles Sportsman’s Club (IL) was the last woman standing. Both won CZ-USA 612 Trap guns.

Winning $1,000 NRA scholarships on Friday night were Amber Rasmussen and Bobby Tate, both of Wisconsin.

Other shooters in the top 10 each night won Nobel Sport ammunition, Randolph Range shooting glasses, and Shamrock Leathers ammo holders.

Please check back for corrected top 10 competitors list

Top Five States At The 2015 Nationals

Written on July 17, 2015.

Participation at the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation’s 2015 National Team Championships is broad reaching with 28 states represented. Nearly three quarters (74.1%) of the 2,800+ shooters come from just five states. Here’s how athletes from the SSSF’s Big 5 break out.

Tennessee (25.3%)
The Volunteer State accounts for 25.3% of all athletes with 601 competing in SCTP (24.4%) and 109 (31.6%) in SPP.

Illinois (18.6%)
The home of the World Shooting & Recreational Complex, the Land of Lincoln sent 484 (19.6%) of shotgunners and 40 (11.6%) of the pistol competitors.

Wisconsin (14.9%)
The Badger State athletes came to shoot with 371 (15.0%) in SCTP and 47 (13.6%) in SPP.

Iowa (8.1%)
The Hawkeye State rolled in with 200 (8.2%) of the SCTP athletes and 29 (8.4%) of those in SPP.

Missouri (7.2%)
The Show-Me State showed up with 202 (8.2%) SCTP competitors, and despite not having any shooters in the SPP Nationals they still hold down fifth overall on this list.

First Time at Nationals? Keep These 10 Tips in Mind

Written on July 10, 2015.

WSRC Main Events Building — *The Main Events Building is where you’ll find Registration and the answers to your questions.*

If you’re going to Sparta, Illinois for your first SCTP-SPP National Team Championships, your head may be spinning with questions. While we can’t offer you a secret for taking home a medal, we can offer you some tips to enhance your enjoyment of Nationals.

Read the program. Almost anything you need to know can be found in the Nationals program. You will be able to pick up a printed copy when you arrive at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, but you can also view it online anytime.
Do it all! Participate in as many activities as possible, including the side games. Cover the grounds to see what’s going on, see the exhibition shooting events, and watch anything you aren’t actively engaged in.

Stay for the after-hours activities. If you shoot your event and leave every day, you’ll be missing out on fun activities like Last Competitor Standing events, opening ceremonies, the pizza party, an ice cream social, and more.

Sign up for text messaging. We’ll pass along information about activities, schedule changes, and other things you need to know to those who opt in. Sign up here.

Visit the vendor mall. You’ll have the unique opportunity to visit with many manufacturers of shooting equipment in their own stores at the WSRC. Even if you aren’t buying, it’s the perfect opportunity to work on your wish list.

Take photos. Shoot as many photos as you can to help you remember this wonderful experience. Share them in social media with hashtag #SSSF2015, and when you get back home, share them with any sponsors, businesses, or civic groups who support you or have interest in your team.

Meet new people. While you will be there with your own team, don’t miss the opportunity to make new friends from all over the country. Be bold and introduce yourself.

If you have questions or don’t understand something, just ask. We won’t remember to tell you everything you need to know, but we’re happy for you to ask us. Catch a staff member anytime you see us, and if we aren’t convenient, just head to the Main Events Building. You can get an answer or help there for anything going on at Nationals.

Remember that many others are also new. It’s easy to feel intimidated when we enter a new event this large, and we all tend to think we’re the only ones who don’t know how something works. But that isn’t the case at Nationals. You’ll see hundreds of new people all over the place, figuring things out for the first time. You aren’t alone!

Have fun! After being safe, the most important thing for you to do at Nationals is enjoy yourself. Shooting is fun, being there with your friends is fun, making new friends is fun — everything at Nationals is fun! Go for it!

Win a Browning Citori in MidwayUSA Foundation Raffle

Written on July 3, 2015.

For a $50 donation that supports youth shooting sports, you can have a 1-in-500 chance of winning a Browning Citori 725 Sporting Grade V shotgun. The MidwayUSA Foundation is sponsoring a raffle for the shotgun, donated by Browning, and will sell only 500 tickets.

Each ticket purchase will support the MidwayUSA Foundation, which supports SSSF teams. Donations will not be designated for a particular team but will go to the general fund. There is no limit to the number of $50 tickets you can buy to increase your chances of winning. The winner will be announced once all 500 tickets are sold. Just head to midwayusafoundation.org/citori.

USO-Wisconsin Adds 2016 Scholarships to SCTP Awards Program

Written on June 27, 2015.

The USO of Wisconsin launched a first-of-its-kind program in 2015 with its USO shooting scholarships awarded to 13 SCTP / military youth athletes. The USO partnered with SCTP to provide clay target shooting gear and ammunition for athletes whose parents serve in the military. The bar was set high for the selection criteria with emphasis on scholastic performance, community volunteerism, and leadership potential.

As the USO noted, both organizations share similar values and a vision to provide positive opportunities for youth through shooting sports.

For 2016, the USO of Wisconsin is expanding that program by awarding $2,500 in college scholarships for next year’s high school seniors who are involved in SCTP. The scholarships will be available to athletes from Wisconsin whose parents are serving on active duty, in the National Guard, or Reserve Military.

The USO-Wisconsin Board of Directors noted, “We understand that when our military members serve, it often comes at the sacrifice of their families. We take great pride in serving the whole military family.”

We commend the USO-Wisconsin for this innovative program and their support of SCTP athletes, and we look forward to seeing other organizations follow their lead!

Requirements for Personal Golf Cars and Clays Vehicles at Nationals

Written on June 27, 2015.

If you’re planning to bring your own golf car or utility vehicle to the National Team Championships at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, you must meet some requirements and follow rules for safety and the consideration of other attendees at Nationals.

Every person using their personal clays vehicle must get a permit for the vehicle at the registration desk. At that time, you must provide your driver’s license — a learner’s permit is not sufficient — and proof of insurance.

Only persons 18 years of age or older can register a clays vehicle, and you must be a licensed driver 16 years of age or older to operate it.

Here are the complete rules for operating a personal clays vehicle at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex.

Shoot the HiViz Rimfire Rifle Side Match at Nationals

Written on June 19, 2015.

Whether you’re planning to compete with a shotgun and/or pistol at Nationals in July, this year you will have one more option — rimfire rifle — in a side match sponsored by HiViz Shooting Systems.

Many of our SPP teams have enjoyed shooting this popular side match at some of the SPP state and regional matches this spring. The HiViz Rimfire Side Match will consist of two stages but will otherwise be basically the same as the Scholastic Pistol Program with a .22 LR semiauto box-fed rifle. Rules will be the same as with SPP, including five strings per stage and low ready. The rimfire rifle match will take place at the pistol berms.

For the HiViz Rimfire Side Match only, scoring will be on an individual basis and not count toward a team score.

The top three (3) athlete scores will win a Mossberg Blaze .22LR rifle! Also, just for participating, you’ll be entered to win one of five (5) HiViz $100 gift certificates through a random draw.

Coaches and adults can also join in the fun. The top three (3) adults will win a donation to their teams’ MidwayUSA Foundation endowment accounts: 1st place – $750, 2nd place – $500, and 3rd place – $250.

The entry fee for the HiViz Rimfire Side Match is only $10! So bring your semiauto rifle with a detachable box magazine chambered in .22 LR, plus some extra magazines and ammo, and we’ll see who is the fastest rifle shooter at Nationals!

The HiViz Rimfire Rifle Side Match will be open Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16 with 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. slots. A limited number of slots will be available, so sign up now!

For sign-up information or to lock in your time slot, contact Tammy Mowry at tmowry@sssfonline.com.

SSSF Contributes Over $180,000 to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Accounts

Written on June 19, 2015.

Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation contributed $181,400 to the MidwayUSA Foundation on May 31, benefiting the team endowment accounts of 88 scholastic shooting teams from 21 states.

The funds were awarded to teams at SCTP and SPP shooting events this year. A total of $109,800 of the donated funds went to 40 SCTP teams, while $71,600 benefits 48 SPP teams.

SSSF will make endowment funds available for teams to earn at numerous other tournaments this year, including the SCTP-SPP National Team Championships next month. A total of $468,000 in endowment funds will be on the line at that event, July 13-18.
Teams are awarded endowment funds through their participation in sanctioned shoots. SSSF, which administers the SCTP and SPP, contributes the funding to the MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account Program on behalf of the teams. Active teams, like the 88 that will benefit from this donation, are eligible to draw a grant each year to assist with team expenses, such as ammunition, range fees, travel, uniforms, and more.

The MidwayUSA Foundation helps communities and organizations raise funds to support their high school, college, and other youth shooting teams and activities. This donation brings youth involved in shooting sports closer to sustainable support.

For more information on the MidwayUSA Foundation or to set up an account for your team, visit www.midwayusafoundation.org.