At the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation's 2025 National Championship, the world's largest shooting sports event, the Top Gun Challenge saw the best of the best multi-discipline athletes compete for prizes and bragging rights.
These standout athletes displayed skill, determination, and endurance in Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, Iron Sight Pistol, Rifle, and 1911 disciplines, with their scores from each event being compiled to calculate the winners.
In partnership with Federal Premium Ammunition, the SSSF will pay for event entries for the top 6 Top Gun Challenge competitors to participate in the NRA World Shooting Championship, September 30- October 4th.
These Top Gun athletes will have a chance to compete in multiple types of major firearms shooting sports, including pistol, rifle, shotgun, and combined firearm sports. At the end, one competitor will be crowned the undisputed World Shooting Champion.
"We cannot thank Federal Premium Ammunition enough for their support to give our athletes this great opportunity," said Rick Leach, SSSF President & Executive Director. "We look forward to seeing what these young athletes can do at the NRA World Shooting Championship. They have already proven themselves at our own National Championship with some very impressive scores in many different shooting sports."
Congratulations to our 2025 All Scholastic Team! The All Scholastic Team recognizes achievements of student athletes in the shooting sports for their accomplishments in the classroom, in their communities and on the range. These athletes stand out by achieving a GPA of 3.5 or better, community involvement, and outstanding shooting sports scores!
The Maspenock Rod and Gun Club proudly hosted the 2025 Progressive Position Pistol Regional competition on May 18th, drawing youth athletes and shooting sports enthusiasts from across the region for a day of precision, sportsmanship, and exceptional marksmanship.
Sanctioned by Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF), the event showcased the talents of junior athletes participating in the Progressive Position Pistol (PPP) discipline, which helps develop fundamental pistol skills in a safe and structured environment. Competitors ranged in age and skill level, progressing through supported, one-handed, and eventually the international open positions as part of the PPP development program.
"The growth of pistol shooting starts with our volunteers, coaches, and parents—they are the backbone of these athletes' success," commented James Hall, SSSF Programs Manager for International Rifle and Pistol. "We’re excited to continue building on the Progressive Position Pistol youth program and to make precision pistol a truly competitive and thriving discipline nationwide.”
The Maspenock Rod and Gun Club, a long-standing supporter of youth shooting programs in Massachusetts, provided a welcoming and professional environment, ensuring a smooth and successful competition. The club extends its sincere gratitude to all volunteers, sponsors, and families who contributed to making the event a success.
“This event reflects the dedication of young athletes, their families, and coaches who are helping grow the next generation of competitive pistol shooters,” said Manny Snyderman, match director at Maspenock Rod and Gun Club. “We were honored to host such a spirited and disciplined group of competitors.”
For more information about future PPP events or youth shooting opportunities contact Programs Manager, James Hall: james@mysasp.com
In 2024, RUGER became the first sponsor to become a Blue Diamond level sponsor of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) by supporting youth shooting sports at over $75,000 a year. Ruger's support of the SSSF is long-standing. Originally a Founding Partner of the SSSF's Scholastic Action Shooting Program in 2012, the company's support continues into 2025 as a Blue Diamond sponsor of both the SSSF's SASP and SCTP youth development programs.
Paul Pluff, Ruger's Public Relations Manager said, "Ruger is honored to be the first sponsor to reach the Blue Diamond level in supporting such a worthy cause that teaches safe, responsible handling of firearms.” "We are honored to have a great company like Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. as a sponsor of our youth development programs," commented Rick Leach, SSSF President & Executive Director and National Director of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program. "RUGER celebrated their 75th year of making quality firearms last year, and we appreciate their support. Throughout the year, Ruger runs auctions on Gun Broker to support charities. We are humbled that they would select us to be a beneficiary of those funds."
Are you or your company interested in supporting the largest youth competitive shooting program in the world? Please contact Rick Leach, SSSF President & Executive Director and National Director at rleach@sssfonline.com
For the past four years, the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) has proudly hosted the Intercollegiate Pistol Championships, continuing its commitment to growing Olympic-style pistol shooting opportunities for athletes of all ages. This national-level competition brings together top collegiate talent from across the country, giving student-athletes a chance to showcase their skills on one of the sport's biggest stages.
Beyond championship events, SSSF supports and recognizes collegiate club pistol teams at a variety of universities nationwide. These programs offer students a chance to compete, train, and grow within a structured team environment—even if their school doesn’t offer a varsity shooting team. Several of these colleges also provide scholarship opportunities related to marksmanship and participation, creating meaningful pathways for athletes to continue their shooting careers while pursuing higher education.
Whether you're a current high school shooter looking ahead to college or a university student interested in starting a team, the SSSF is a valuable resource for navigating collegiate shooting sports.
To learn more about SSSF’s involvement with collegiate programs and International Pistol and Action shooting, visit the College Corner on the SSSF website: https://mysasp.com/college-corner/
As part of its commitment to youth development and advancement of its members, the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) announces the recipients of the newly established SSSF BRUNO BUTTI & MAE (DOMENICA CARERI) BUTTI SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Recipients are youth shooting sports athletes of the SSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program. Each recipient has been awarded $3000 each thanks to the incredible generosity of the Butti family.
Athlete Name
Team
State
Colton Jackson
River Region Clay Crushers
Alabama
Isabelle KC Sparlin
Tucson Straight Shooters
Arizona
Camille Fuson
Hawks
Florida
Carter Vaughn
Arnold Junior Shooters
Missouri
Kaylee A. Shaner
Lawrence County Young Gun Range Racer
Pennsylvania
Braydon Sargent
William Blount
Tennessee
Derrick Gray
Central Texas Shooting Team
Texas
Samantha Weber
Katy Dusters
Texas
Sadie Richter
Hudson Raiders
Wisconsin
Wade Congdon
Hudson Raiders SASP Shooting Team
Wisconsin
Since 2013, the SSSF has awarded over $1,231,500 in scholarship funds benefiting over 1,290 student athletes, from nearly all 50 states in the Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting programs. To donate to support youth shooting sports click here: https://sssfonline.org/donate/
Since 2013, the SSSF has awarded over $1,231,500 in scholarship funds benefiting over 1,290 student athletes, from nearly all 50 states in the Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting programs.
We are pleased to announce that the SSSF has awarded $120,000 in scholarships so far in 2025! Congratulations to these outstanding student athletes and good luck in all future endeavors!
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is proud to invite all qualified 2024 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) athletes to apply for the SSSF All Scholastic Team. The All Scholastic Team recognizes achievements of student athletes in the shooting sports for their accomplishments in the classroom, in their communities and on the range. Eligible athletes of all ages are invited to apply.
SK Guns Engraved NWTF 50th Anniversary gun set – J Pecora, MA
Bettinsoli Omega Steel Lite 20 GA – L. Schmit, WI
Winchester Safes Bandit 19 Safe – T Wenzlaff, WI
Silencer Central Banish 30 Suppressor J Kielbasa, WI
RCBS Reloading Press and Hodgdon 8lbs Powder Certificate - B Till, SC
RCBS Reloading Press and Hodgdon 8lbs Powder Certificate – L Hanneman, ND
Certificate for Ruger SR1911 – G Hernandez, UT
Certificate for GLOCK of winners choice - M Jennings, FL
Silencer Central Solo 22 Suppressor - B Develli, PA
Silencer Central Solo 22 Suppressor – S Stephenson, FL
Thank you to our generous donors SK Guns, Bettinsoli, Winchester Safes, Silencer Central, RCBS, Hodgdon Powders, RUGER, and GLOCK, for supporting our Forever Fund Raffle. Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets and congratulations to the winners.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing shooting-sports education and opportunities to school-age youths around the United States to encourage young athlete personal growth and development. Tax-ID number 20-8484121.
