Against All Odds: Grit, Determination, and Podium Finishes for The Hoosier Daddys at SCTP Nationals. 

MARENGO, Ohio — Competing at the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championships is demanding under the best circumstances. It requires sharp focus, steady nerves, and flawless mechanics. But for one Central Indiana youth shooting team, the 2026 Nationals became an unforgettable story of grit, resilience, and true sportsmanship. 

The Hoosier Daddys, a competitive youth clay target shooting team based out of Central Indiana, traveled to the Cardinal Shooting Center with high hopes and months of practice under their belts. They left with national hardware, many personal bests, and a lot of incredibly proud coaches and parents. 

The Podium Success: Intermediate Entry Division  

Competing in the highly competitive Intermediate Entry Division, the squad consisting of Alex Rodgers, Kasen Weddle, and Lyle Comer proved they belong among the nation's elite. 

The trio locked in and delivered outstanding performances across multiple disciplines: 

American Skeet: The squad captured a 5th place National podium finish, navigating the stations with remarkable consistency. 

Skeet Doubles: Pushing their skills even further, the team secured another spectacular 3rd place podium finish. 

While the trophies and medals are a testament to the hard work all three young men put in throughout the season, the pathway to those podiums required overcoming an obstacle nobody saw coming. 

Adapting and Overcoming:  

The entire tournament shifted on day one when disaster struck. Alex Rodgers broke his dominant hand. 

For most athletes, a broken hand on the first day of a National Championship means an immediate trip to the sidelines and a heartbreaking end to the season. Initially, there were doubts about whether Alex should—or even could—continue shooting. 

But Alex had other plans. Driven by an unrelenting passion for the sport and a fierce loyalty to Kasen and Lyle, he refused to let his squad down. 

After a trip to the medical facility to get a cast put on, Alex didn't head back to rest. Instead, just an hour after getting his cast, he was right back on the practice field. Because his index finger was immobilized, Alex had to completely re-learn his hand placement and adapt his mechanics on the fly, forcing himself to use his middle finger as his trigger finger. 

The sheer display of grit and determination that followed was impressive. Pushing through immense physical pain and the frustration of altered mechanics, Alex stayed on the line, breaking targets right alongside his teammates to help secure their 3rd and 5th place National finishes. 

Unbreakable Spirit 

An injury like that would have defeated many competitors, but Alex definitely didn't let it get him down. His unbreakable spirit served as an inspiration. 

"We at the Hoosier Daddys couldn't be prouder of how he competed," said a team representative. "His unrelenting passion is a testament to his unbreakable spirit." 

Congratulations to Alex, Kasen, and Lyle on an unbelievable run at the 2026 SCTP Nationals. You represented Central Indiana with class, talent, and a level of toughness that defines what it truly means to be a champion.