SCTP National Team Conducts Training Camp at John A. Halter Education Center
Hillsdale, MI – Members of the 2019 SCTP National Team (NT) met in Hillsdale, Michigan over the Columbus Day weekend for their first training camp together. The camp was a short two days but that may have been a blessing as weekend temperatures failed to reach 50 degrees in the face of steady 10-15 mph winds. The 2019 NT athletes attending this camp were: Preston Bailey, Josh Corbin, Madeline Corbin, Kyle Fleck, Ella McLerran, Alexa Paxson, and Jordan Sapp. Also attending were Quinn Schuppner, Hamilton Spieth, and 2018 NT alumni Matthew Wells.
Utilizing some indoor time, Coach Terri DeWitt introduced the athletes to stretching and circuit training exercises designed to strengthen core muscles and improve stability and SSG Dustan Taylor, member of the US Army Marksmanship Unit Skeet Team, introduced the skeet athletes to new drills and training techniques. Coach Taylor noted that while the high winds made training difficult, it helped build confidence in the end. “I believe the camp was a complete success,” he stated. Skeet athlete Preston Bailey agreed. “I liked working with Coach Dustan and being able to train with the other team members. Most of the time I train by myself, so this was a productive weekend for me,” Bailey said.
“I’d like to thank the staff at the John Halter Shooting Sports Education Center here at Hillsdale College for their generous hospitality in hosting our training camp. Bart, Jim, and Judy made sure we had everything we needed. This is a first-class facility that has some exciting things in store for it,” stated Coach DeWitt.
The SCTP NT will get together again December 28-30 in Tucson, AZ. They will have an opportunity to train on the same fields that will be used to select the 2020 US Olympic Shooting Team at Olympic Trials Part 2 which starts February 25, 2020.
The SCTP National Team is selected from and based on the top 3 finishes for male and female athletes at the SCTP International National Championships (in International Skeet and Bunker Trap) held each year at the end of July. The national team seats from Sept. 1st through August 31st each year and athletes are invited to attend various camps and competitions throughout the year. These athletes receive Winchester ammunition, a Castellani national team vest sponsored by Ultimate Shooting accessories , entry fees and many other support materials entitled to membership on the team!