The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) has named Darin Riggleman as Programs Manager for the Northeast Region. Among thirty applicants for the position, Darin stood out with his experience as coach, state advisor, and certified range day instructor within the SCTP. His dedication to youth shooting sports began in 2018 when he helped start a new SCTP team which has grown to fourty athletes and eighteen coaches in present day.

“We are very excited to add Darin as the Northeast Programs Manager,” said SCTP National Director, Wayne Rasmussen. “His passion to grow the program is very evident and we are lucky to have him on the team.”

“I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity,” commented Riggleman. “I believe that the shooting sports instill values and teach lessons to our youth that will influence the entire course of their lives.  Values such as responsibility, respect for oneself and others, sportsmanship, and so many others benefit not only our athletes, but our whole society. It is humbling to be a part of this endeavor.”

The Scholastic Clay Target Program opens the door of opportunity for tens of thousands of youth athletes across the country. As a youth development program, participation in the SCTP instills many qualities that prepare those young athletes for the future. Its team format also provides a sport where there is no such thing as being benched. Young athletes who may not find success or attention in traditional sports often find a home in clay target sports where your size, strength, or gender have no basis in becoming a champion. For that same reason, Texas athlete Dylan Little was able to find continued purpose in his participation in the SCTP:

“My freshman year, I was in an ATV accident over Spring Break. I was on the A-team Allen Freshman football team, I was leading the SCTP High Overall for the season by a nice lead and really excited as covid had ended our previous season. 

They took me to a local hospital and then had to transfer me to a Trauma 1 facility after x-rays – broken back, broken hand and broken nose. The surgeon performed a spinal fusion from my L2 to L4 with two rods and eight screws and I had a 12 week recovery period where I couldn’t do anything besides walk a little each day. no lifting, no shooting, no running, only short walks.

The doctor said ‘no more contact sports, ever.’ I asked him, “Can I continue competitive shooting?”, he said you should be once healed. I also had two temporary pins in my hand and had surgery on that. Naturally, your friends are there to support and encourage you but the outpouring of support from other teams, coaches, competitors was so humbling and amazing. This program and the people involved have taught me how I want to help others who may struggle with a setback. This sport is more than shotguns, it’s a community and a family. It teaches respect, compassion, commitment and I’m honored to be a part of it.

The day my 12 weeks ended, I grabbed my shotgun and went to shoot skeet. God’s plan is bigger than mine. I’m not happy I broke my back but when I say I’m grateful for SCTP – no one understands how grateful I am. It’s given me a place to belong, something I’m good at and can still be a part of team. A chance to meet other kids from around the state with similar interests and also a place for me to excel with a talent that isn’t the normal football, baseball, etc. The shooting sport itself teaches patience, gun safety, responsibility and leadership. I’m very thankful SCTP is available at my school and to have teachers willing to help continue this sport.

“It is just remarkable how much he has overcome since his accident, said Jason Anderson, Head Coach of the Allen Eagles Competitive Shooting Team. “He struggled last year quite a bit with his shooting. This past weekend he just won the Texas State HOA champion. I can say he’s back!”

At the 2023 USA Shooting National Championships, there were several important positions in play for the SCTP International Team – not only was this Part 1 of the 2024 Olympic Games selection, but the tournament also determined this year’s National Champions, the 2023 Pan American Games team, the 2023 World Championships team, and the 2023 Junior World Championships team.

Many SCTP International Team members will be representing the United States at the Junior World Championships in Changwon, Korea in July: Josh Corbin, Kyle Fleck, Caleb Cutler and Ramsey Bodeen. Alumni team members also earning slots to the Junior World Team include Madeline Corbin, Jordan Sapp, and Taylor Dale.

Other significant results from the SCTP International Team at 2023 USA Shooting National Championships:

Skeet

Gracie Marie Hensley – Bronze medal, Under 18 Women

Emily Rasmussen – Bronze medal, Women collegiate

Josh Corbin – Gold medal, Men Collegiate

Kyle Fleck – Silver medal, Men Collegiate

Westley Kiter – Gold medal, Under 18 Men

Trap

Cole Prince – Silver medal, Junior Men

Sophia Bultema – Gold medal, Women’s Paralympic

As the official youth feeder program for USA Shooting, the SCTP International Team focuses on preparing for high-level events. The team’s Head Coach, Terri DeWitt, a former Olympian herself, sets the team up for success by providing a breadth of additional training that includes sports science topics and realistic conditioning. Each July, SCTP International Team slots are determined by a shoot-off final at the SCTP National Championship.