Congratulations to Women’s Junior Olympic Skeet Champion Gracie Hensley and Men’s Junior Olympic Trap Champion Josh Corbin! This is a significant victory, considering Josh is generally considered to be an international skeet athlete.
Junior Olympic Skeet Champion Gracie Hensley
Men’s Junior Olympic Trap Champion Josh Corbin
USAS awarded two JO Squad vests/discipline to the highest qualification scores not already on Junior Team. SCTP athletes earning Junior Team vests at this competition: Gracie Hensley, Josh Corbin, Heidi Griner, and Abbey Wigh
2022 SCTP Team athletes in attendance:
SKEET: Josh Corbin, Kyle Fleck, Westley Kiter, Matthew Peterson, Gracie Marie Hensley, Emersyn Berck
Heidi Griner – 4th place, Open Women and Gold medal, Women 18 and Under
Caleb Cutler – Silver medal, Men 18 and Under
Sophia Bultema – Gold medal, Women Collegiate
*Of the 16 athletes on our 2022 team, 7 of them earned USA Shooting Junior Team vests this year and 4 of them are going to Junior World Championships in Changwon, Korea this week.
Held at the Tucson Trap & Skeet Club, February 3rd-8th, 2023, this USA Shooting Selection Match was used in combination with the 2022 USAS Nationals in Hillsdale last summer to determine the 2023 National Team as well as this year’s World Championship Team. This was also the first part of the selection process for the 2023 Pan American Games Team. The World Championships will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan and the Pan Am will be in Santiago, Chile.
SCTP International Team athletes Ramsey Bodeen, Sophia Bultema, Caleb Cutler, Heidi Griner, Cole Prince, Abbey Wigh (2022 alumna) and Lacy White were present for their concentration of Bunker Trap, while Josh Corbin (2022 alumni), Jerrod Croley, Kyle Fleck, Zach Hinze, Westley Kiter, Matthew Peterson, and Emily Rasmussen shot International Skeet. The SCTP International Team is supported by SCTP Red Diamond Sponsor, Winchester Ammunition.
“While we didn’t have any of our current team members earn a place on the National Team at this match, we had some very solid performances. I was extremely proud of the effort every single one of these athletes gave. They had to contend with strong winds and some cold temperatures. I can’t help but think that the miserable weather we experienced at the training camp in Crossville helped prepare them for this!”
SCTP International Team Head Coach, Terri DeWitt
Congratulations to Caitlin Connor-Royer, SCTP International Team Skeet Coach, for earning a slot on the 2023 National Women’s Skeet Team!
Pictured back to front, left to right: Zach Hinze, Matthew Peterson, Cole Prince, Jerrod Croley, Westley Kiter Lacy White, Emily Rasmussen, Gracie-Marie Hensley, Ramsey Bodeen, Caleb Cutlerex
With a year-long shooting season, the SCTP closed the calendar year with two training camps to hone skills and prepare for important events down the line. Sponsored by Winchester Ammunition, the SCTP International Team is made up of some of the best SCTP athletes in the country. These athletes showed they were ready to earn their spot when it came time to the finals shootoffs, held at SCTP Nationals each July.
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.
In early November, the team traveled to Crossville Shooting Sports Park, in Crossville, TN for the first training camp of the season. Joining the coaching staff for the camp was SCTP alumna, Caitlin Connor-Royer, an 8X ISSF World Cup Silver Medalist, 2018 World Champion, 2022 World Cup Gold Medalist, and 2022 President’s Cup World Cup Final Gold medalist. Caitlin provided world-class instruction for the team’s International Skeet athletes.
Serving as an introduction to performance skillsets (technical, tactical, mental, physical), the camp incorporated range time with sport-specific stretching, core and balance exercises, vision training exercises, and discussions about the importance of self-talk and mental strategies. Always focused on realistic conditioning, or “practice like you play”, this training embraced cold and wet weather. “In spite of less than ideal conditions, I think we got some excellent training in the sense of accepting the things you can’t control, adapting to the situation and still getting the job done,” said DeWitt.
Pictured back to front left to right: Caleb Cutler, Josh Corbin, Ramsey Bodeen, Kyle Fleck, Matthew Peterson, Zach Hinze, and alumni Jordan Sapp, Emersyn Berck, Ashlyn Berck (walk-on), alumna Loretta Christian
Closing out the calendar year was a trip to Tucson, Arizona for preparation of USA Shooting’s Selection Match in February, 2023. “We wanted to get some training time on the same ranges they’ll be competing on,” commented DeWitt. “In addition to setting look and hold points on each field, we emphasized pressure training in the form of finals practice. Athletes also started building their individual mental workouts, based off of Dr. Jason Selk’s book, 10-Minute Toughness, setting one or two outcome goals for next year with process goals in place for each.”
Returning again to instruct International Skeet athletes was former SCTP athlete, Caitlin Connor-Royer. “The 2022 SCTP camps were great, we have a lot of talented young athletes across both international disciplines of trap and skeet,” said Connor-Royer. “I am very excited to see each of them accomplish their goals in 2023 and beyond.”
Title photo courtesy of Emily Rasmussen. Sarah Schwacher, Damien Stewart, Emily Rasmussen
The ACUI Collegiate National Championships concluded in San Antonio after a week long competition schedule encompassing both international and american clay target disciplines. The Winchester-sponsored SCTP International Team had quite a good showing, with 100 target competitions March 19th and 20th for International Skeet and Bunker Trap, respectively. Athletes Joshua Corbin and Emersyn Berck claimed two individual National Champion titles in International Skeet. The SCTP International Team Head Coach, Terri DeWitt noted quite a few other placements with both current and past Team members.
DeWitt asked the youth athletes what it feels like to be the respective 2022 ACUI International Skeet National Champion: “Pretty great. Feels like all my training paid off,” said Berck. Josh Corbin answered: “I feel grateful for all of the training and opportunities the SCTP has provided to prepare me for my collegiate career.”
DeWitt asked team member Emily Rasmussen how it felt to sweep the podium with past and present SCTP teammates: “Even though we are competitors, we are cheering each other on and it feels great when we all succeed and make the podium together,” replied Rasmussen.
Photo courtesy of Katy Corbin. Joshua Corbin and Emersyn Berck
Results: Mens’ I-Skeet 1st – Joshua Corbin (Current Team Member), Hillsdale College 2nd – Kyle Fleck (2019 SCTP International Team) Hillsdale College 3rd – Mathew Brindley (Current Team Member), William Penn Univ
Women’s I-Skeet 1st – Emersyn Berck (Current Team Member), Kansas State Univ 2nd – Emily Rasmussen (Current Team Member), Concordia Univ 3rd – Sarah Schwacher (2017, 2020 Team), Concordia Univ
Women’s I-Trap 5th – Madeleine Taylor (2017 Team), Concordia Univ *Current SCTP Team did not have anyone entered in Women’s I-Trap. Ida Brown was in Peru competing at the World Cup.
Nine members of the 2021 SCTP International Team met for their first training camp during the weekend of November 13-14 at the Crossville Shooting Sports Park in Crossville, TN. Team members Jessica Gunderson, Abbey Wigh, Loretta Christian, Emersyn Berck, Emily Rasmussen, Emanuel Butdorf, Eyan Marx, Taylor Botshon, and Johnathon Savage were guided by International Team coachesTerri DeWitt and Brian Witty. This two-day camp focused on taking a deep dive into sports science, with emphasis on the importance of vision in clay target sports. With sponsors like Winchester Ammunition, training camps like this are available for SCTP International Team members, honing their game in preparation for large competitions and selections.
Sport Vision Coaches Dr. Carusone andMs. Kassie Kibler from EyeExcel in Knoxville, TN, gave instruction about the physiology of the eye, the mechanics of how vision works, how that relates to the shooting sports, and the importance of vison training to performance. Dr. Carusone evaluated each athlete on their vision strengths as well as identified areas of needed improvement. The athletes were guided through some practical exercises and then they spent the afternoon performing them. Each athlete went home with a better understanding of the importance of vision training as well as a personal vision training kit to continue their training at home.
“This was an exceptional weekend of learning for these athletes,” stated SCTP International Head Coach,Coach DeWitt. “We didn’t spend a lot of time pulling triggers, but rather used this weekend to hone an edge on their performance. I can’t thank Dr. C enough for sharing his time and expertise with us.”
The Winchester-sponsored SCTP International Team had four athletes qualify for the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru: Jordan Sapp and Madeline Corbin (skeet); Tristan Schroder and Sydney Krieger (trap). SCTP athlete and alum of the team, Jordan Sapp won the silver medal in I-skeet. The Men’s Skeet Team of Sapp, Elijah Ellis, and Ben Keller claimed silver in the final against Italy.
International Team member Sydney Krieger stood alongside fellow SCTP athlete, Bethany High, and Faith Pendergrass in the Women’s Trap Team event, securing gold for the United States!
Four members of the SCTP 2020 International Team persuasively made the transition to the USA Shooting (USAS) National Junior and Junior Development Team as a result of their performance at the USAS Junior World Championship Selection in Kerrville, TX last week.
Tristan Schroder (MI) and Sydney Krieger (AZ) earned positions on the National Junior Trap Team and will have the opportunity to compete at both the Kazakhstan World Cup and the Junior World Championships in Peru this fall. Joining their trap teammates are skeet athletes Jordan Sapp (AZ) and Madeline Corbin (WI). Sapp claimed a spot on the Men’s National Junior Skeet Team and will travel to both Kazakhstan and Peru; Corbin will have the chance to compete at the Junior World Championships in Peru as a member of the Women’s National Development Skeet Team.
Perhaps Jordan Sapp sums it up best, “It’s a dream come true. Five years ago, this was only a dream and now it’s a reality. It’s exhilarating.”
“I could not be prouder of the performances these athletes gave this past week. They came with a game plan and they stuck to their plan. All the hard work they did in the off season really showed in their performance,” said SCTP International Team Head Coach Terri Dewitt.
As the official youth feeder program for USA Shooting, the SCTP selects its International Team members off of performances in Bunker Trap and International Skeet at the National Championships each July. International Team Members have the opportunity to attend several camps and competitions lead by Coach Dewitt. Make sure you and your team are registered with the SCTP to take advantage of this incredible opportunity!
Congratulations to the newest USA Shooting National Junior Team members!
Junior Men’s medalists, left to right: Jack Nelson (silver), Grayson Davey (gold), Tristan Schroder (bronze)2020 SCTP trap athletes Logan Samson, Aiko Coloso, Taylor Dale, and Tristan SchroderJunior Women’s trap finalists, left to right: Bethany High, Faith Pendergrass, Sydney Krieger, Ryann Phillips, Carey Garrison, Tylar GanttWomen’s Skeet National Development Team, left to right: Alishia Fayth Lane, Madeline Corbin2020 SCTP skeet athletes left to right: Jordan Sapp, Preston Bailey, Joshua Corbin
In an initiative to further increase awareness and participation in the international disciplines of shotgun shooting sports, the SCTP hosted the Bunker 300 with event partner and program Red Diamond Sponsor, Winchester.
The competition kicked off on a Friday, with a 100 target prelim event, with awards for 1-3 in junior and open categories. Through the weekend, competitors shot the 200 match target event, followed by the open final on Sunday to determine awards for HOA, 2nd, and 3rd award honors.
Tristan Schroder took the honor of High Junior at the Bunker 300 and was a winner in the Random Team Race. Tristan is an SCTP athlete and International Team Member.
Winchester, the official ammunition of the SCTP and SCTP International Teams was there in full force, providing AA International Trap ammunition, Winchester SX3 shotguns, and other swag for door prizes and winners.
“I think the first “open” International Trap event held on the new Cardinal Shooting Center bunkers went extremely well,” beamed SCTP International Team Head Coach, Terri DeWitt. “We could not have done it so successfully without the resources of Cardinal Center, SCTP, Winchester Ammunition, Nick Sage with Promatic, and especially all of our volunteers! I look forward to growing the international trap program in Ohio and running more of these open competitions next year.”
In addition to the main event, the Random Team Race gave cash prizes to the first and second place teams based on scores from Day 1 and 2 of the Bunker 300. SCTP International Trap Team Members, Taylor Dale and Tristan Schroeder took the win with a combined score of 321.
Taylor Dale, SCTP athlete and International Team Member. At the Bunker 300, Taylor was awarded 3rd place junior and was a winner in the Random Team Race.
“The SCTP Winchester 300 was a great match, as we grow our International Style shooting presence at Cardinal Center,” said Chet Tuinstra, SCTP Eastern Director of Development. “This relaxed, relatively low key open shoot allowed student athletes from the Scholastic Clay Target Program and others outside youth shooting sports to compete and hone their skills at this fantastic new facility! We look forward to growing this type of competition at Cardinal Center in the future.”
The SCTP ran the coveted National Championships in July at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio with a new twist: the International National Championships were included. Normally an eight-day event, the SCTP National Championships became a ten-day event with the addition and start of the International disciplines of International Skeet and Bunker Trap. Overall, 220 athletes took part in the newest addition of competition to the Cardinal Center.
“This has been a dream and project of mine personally for about 3-4 years,” said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “We have worked very hard with Cardinal Center staff to come up with a plan, with Promatic and Larry & Brenda Potterfield to assist us with the funding and support and had even raised funds ourselves to help with the purchase of 4 Bunker Fields and equipment! Having a facility that can house all our needs was essential and the savings to families and teams of less travel and time off work will make a huge impact going forward. We can’t thank everyone enough including Winchester, the official ammunition of the SCTP/SCTP International Team for their support and making the dream come true!”
As the Official Ammo of the SCTP, Winchester has gone above and beyond with SCTP-branded packaging on shelves near you soon! We love seeing our sponsors so passionately support our program and spread awareness to the masses!
Since the completion of the newest international range in the country, the Cardinal Center has announced that they will also be adding an additional bunker trap field to be completed by the 2021 SCTP National Championships, bringing the total fields on site to five.
“We couldn’t be prouder to add this opportunity to the Cardinal Centers shooting venue,” said Luke Spengler, Cardinal Centers Trap manager. “We feel that this will greatly strengthen the International Shooting sports as a whole and are very excited to support the SCTP’s mission and dedication to the shooting sports. Creating these opportunities is what this is all about, we commend Tom and his staff & supporters for the hard work they have put into making this happen!”
The 4-day International portion of the National Championships is in the books and 15 new athletes have been named to the 2020/2021 SCTP International Team! These athletes come from 8 states and over half of those athletes coming from Arizona and Wisconsin (4 each).
“These athletes worked hard,” said Terri DeWitt, SCTP International Team Head Coach, and former Olympian. “Many of them had very little to no training due to the pandemic and had to travel a long way just to participate. What an awesome opportunity for these athletes, I look forward to the many years of competitions and camps we will host here, and calling the Cardinal Center “home” of the SCTP International Team is just a bonus! We could not have gotten through the long competition days without the generous support and effort of all of our volunteers. This was truly a team effort and it showed in the tremendous amount of success we had in the execution of this inaugural International Championships!”
The SCTP would like to congratulate the following athletes for their performance last month and for making the 2020/2021 SCTP International Team!
Pictured: Top 3 Women from the Bunker Trap Finals
SCTP International Team, Bunker Trap Women: Aiko Coloso – Florida Taylor Dale – Wisconsin Sydney Krieger – Arizona Loretta Christian – Arizona
Pictured: Top 3 Men from the Bunker Trap Finals
SCTP International Team, Bunker Trap Men: Logan Samson – Alaska Tristan Schroeder – Michigan Matthew Killeen – Arizona
Pictured: Top 3 Women from the International Skeet Finals with SCTP International Team Head Coach, Terri DeWitt
SCTP International Team, Skeet Women: Erin Lokke – Minnesota Sarah Schwacher – Wisconsin Phoebe Smith – Tennessee Madeline Corbin – Wisconsin
Pictured: Top 3 Men from the International Skeet Finals
Each year the SCTP crowns a new International Team based on finishes at its International National Championships. Next year, those dates will be July 8-11. Competition year for the team runs from September 1st – August 31st and includes several camps and competitions lead by Head Coach DeWitt. Make sure you and your team are registered with the SCTP to take advantage of this incredible opportunity of a lifetime!
As
the USA Shooting Olympic Trials Part 2 drew to a close with the conclusion of
the Skeet event on March 8th, SCTP International Skeet athletes
earned two podium finishes and posted several personal best scores.
Kyle Fleck; photo courtesy of US Army Marksmanship Unit
Erin Lokke
Preston
Bailey, Jordan Sapp, Kyle Fleck, and Erin Lokke produced solid performances in
spite of daily Tucson winds that, at times, reached a sustained 20 mph.
Bailey’s 227 x 250, a personal best, won him the bronze medal in the J2 junior
men’s category; Lokke’s 224 x 250 would give her the Collegiate Women’s silver
medal. Both Sapp and Fleck put up personal best performances with 216 x 250.
Preston Bailey and Jordan Sapp
Members of the 2019 SCTP International Team will be preparing for their next major competition (USA Shooting Junior Olympic Championships) with a training camp in Kerrville, TX next month.
Congratulations
to the USA Shooting 2020 Olympic Skeet Team members Vincent Hancock, Phillip
Jungman, Amber English, and Austen Smith!
