Congratulations to 2017 Scholastic Clay Target Program Scholarship Recipients
Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is proud to announce the 2017 recipients in its Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Scholarship Program. One hundred and five SCTP student athletes will receive scholarships totaling $83,000. From 2013 through its 2017 distributions, SSSF has awarded over $300,000 in scholarship funds benefiting over 300 student athletes in the Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting programs. Athletes who are graduating from high school in 2017 and will enroll in college this year were eligible to apply for this year’s scholarships. Awards are based on SCTP/SASP participation, academics, need, essays and other factors. The scholarships are being funded by generous shooting industry sponsors, as well as supporters and donors who provide the SCTP with funds through national fundraising banquets. Congratulations to the following 2017 scholarship recipients:
| $1,000 Scholarships | ||
| AZ | Cameron Mathis | Ben Avery Clay Crushers |
| AZ | Robert Gauthier | Tucson Shooting Stars |
| AZ | Jessica Tweedley | XCP Hotshots |
| CA | Jack Gerstenberg | Los Banos Tigers Trap |
| CA | Tyler Yost | Oaktree Junior Claybreakers |
| CO | Erin Callahan | Rocky Mountain Clay Busters |
| FL | James Bible | Young Guns of Quail Creek |
| FL | Nicholas Blenker | Young Guns of Quail Creek |
| FL | Mathew Coleman | Fish Hawk Dynasty |
| GA | Ethan Bray | Georgia Clay Busters |
| GA | Mitchell McCraney | Etowa Valley Mombas |
| GA | Ansley Wallace | Brookline Topshots |
| IL | Jill Harmston | Caroll County Longspurs |
| IL | Joshua Jacobs | Gateway Gun club youth shooters |
| IL | Justin Lupa | St. Charles Shot Crew |
| IN | Benjamin Chambers | Cass County Clays |
| MD | Mathew Titus | Mt. Airy Sharpshooters |
| MA | Jordan Payne | Fin Fur & Feather youth Trap |
| MA | Hank Garvey | Minuteman Sharpshooters |
| MA | Molly Sheehan | Minuteman Sharpshooters |
| MI | Jacob Gieselman | Davison Busters |
| MI | Bretton Kooistra | Lowell SCTP |
| IA | Jacob Austin | Ankeny Hawks |
| IA | Alxander Austin | Ankeny Hawks |
| IA | Rebecca Tierney | Charles City Trapshooting |
| IA | Emily Luzum | Turkey ValleyTrap Shootiing |
| IA | Jacob Kaisand | WSR Trapshooting Club |
| IA | Ryan Kloetzer | AGWSR Cougers |
| IA | Cole Cameron | Montezuma Shootiing Sports Club |
| IA | Elizabeth Worthington | BGM Shotgunners |
| IA | Clay Johnson | GHV High School Trap Team |
| IA | Isaiah Miller | Maquoketa Youth Trap |
| IA | Wesley Carlson | Kennedy Trap Club |
| IA | Hailey Schwenker | Maquoketa Cardinals Varsity |
| IA | Luke Hillegas | Charles City Trapshooting |
| IA | Daniel DeBoer | Sibley |
| MO | Ethan Boyer | Wildcat Trap |
| MO | Branden Laurent | Team Henges |
| MO | Megan Bischof | Gateway Claybusters |
| NE | Tara Webster | Mariam High School |
| NM | Alison Pimentel | Los Alamos Young Guns |
| NY | Jenna Coyne | Orleans County Clay Crushers |
| OH | Gabriel Kessler | Claybusters Inc. |
| OH | Austin Jacob | Greene County |
| SC | Julie Boone | Richland Creek Top Guns |
| TN | John Baggett | Southern Shooting Sports |
| TN | Joshua Girndt | Clarksville Christian |
| TX | Nicolas Hawkins | Allen Eagles |
| WI | Trevor Schwartz | Wilmot Shooting Team |
| WI | Mason Olson | Lakeland Trap Team |
| WI | Alexandria Mazurkiewicz | Muskego Warriors Trap Club |
| WI | Joseph Tate | Racine Lutheran |
| WI | Karly Krueger | West Bend High School |
| WI | Ben Schroeder | Central Falcons |
| WI | Kayla McHugh | Laona Bird Busters |
| WI | Tyler Dehn | Kettle Moraine Lasers |
| WI | John Dietz | Central Falcons |
| WI | Ashley Bong | Flyway Clay Slayers |
| WI | Meredith Bernau | Burlington Demons |
| WI | Lindsey Kreul | Beaver Dam Trap Team |
| WI | Mikaela Leach | Ozaukee Scholastic Shooting |
| $500 Scholarships | ||
| CA | Garrett Mazza | Christian High School |
| CA | Samuel Ferguson | Christian High School |
| GA | Charles Hyatt | Lake Oconee Shotgun Team |
| GA | Julianna Johnson | Lake Oconee Shotgun Team |
| IL | Raymond Nagro | Golden BB's |
| IL | Grant Kinscherff | Golden BB's |
| MA | Robert Lemmons | Minuteman Sharpshooters |
| MI | Andrea Gallagher | Carson City Crystal Clay |
| IA | Mathew Bahl | Wahlert Catholic Trap Team |
| IA | Mark Portz | Wahlert Catholic Trap Team |
| IA | Jason Herr | Oskaloosa Shooting Team |
| IA | Calton Davis | Centennial Jaguars |
| MN | Cole Wahlstrom | Stillwater High School |
| OH | Paige Hagerty | Buckeye Elite |
| OH | Michael Adkins | Buckeye Chippewa |
| OH | Summer Gobrecht | Hancock County Young Guns |
| OH | Cole Karnes | Greene County |
| PA | Jeremy Carlson | Warren County Claybusters |
| PA | Devin Dunkle | Keystone Clay Dusters |
| PA | Jordan Anderson | Lake Edinboro Sportsmen |
| PA | Dominick Diethrick | Northern Area Trapshooters |
| PA | Hunter Scott | Hunting Hills Hawkeyes |
| TN | Hunter Rowland | Eagleville Clay Target Team |
| TN | Rebecca Winstead | Rossville Christian Academy |
| TN | Alexandria Ferrante | St. Agnes Shooting Stars |
| TN | Kelsey Nelson | Jefferson County Patriots |
| TX | Christopher Jones | Allen Eagles |
| TX | Brendan Eaglen | Red Oak Shotgun Team |
| TX | Mary Tibbs | Red Oak Shotgun Team |
| WA | Tyler Burns | Whatcom Claybusters |
| WA | James VyVyan III | Whatcom Claybusters |
| WI | Mathew Swortzel | Random Lake High School |
| WI | Nolan May | Elkhorn Shooting Team |
| WI | Rachel Herb | Muskego Warriors Trap Club |
| WI | Maria Huber | Crandon Cardinals |
| WI | Caleb Adams | Kohler Trap team |
| WI | Hunter Theisen | Antigo Red Robins Shooting Sports |
| WI | Joshua Wiemer | Arcadia High School Trap Team |
| WI | Collin Weltzien | Arcadia High School Trap Team |
| WI | Nathan Jostad | Spartan Clay Busters |
| WI | Mathew Lovdahl | Racine Lutheran |
| WI | Jacob Kuhne | Mukwonago High School |
| WI | Ryan Confer | Mukwonago High School |
| WY | Madison Waidelich | Cody Clay Crushers |
Several years ago, the Alexandria Chapter started looking into expanding our 5-stand shotgun range to include a certified trap range. Two chapter members were primarily responsible for bringing this idea to fruition: A.J. Pappas and Chris Arnold. While working toward the goal of completing the trap range, the chapter continued to offer members the opportunity to come out on Sundays, when volunteers operated the various throwers used by the 5-stand, and enjoy shooting a few clay targets. At the time, the chapter had two youth shotguns that were available to members who had children who were interested in experiencing clay target shooting. The use of the chapter guns along with support from Shotgun Committee members who were NRA-qualified shotgun instructors proved to be very popular. Parents felt comfortable and the environment was structured but not intimidating. Several young shooters became regulars with their parents at the Sunday recreational shoots. About the same time A.J. and Chris were working on the trap range project, I was finding out that my 12-year-old granddaughter was really interested in shotgun sports. We had gone to a range on the military base close to our home and she was able to shoot both trap and skeet. As time went by, she found that she continued to improve and indicated that she would like to join a youth shooting team. (Shooting was great, but spending your day with middle-aged adults was a little dull – her words, not mine!). I began to look around for youth teams in our area and quickly found that there were none. While doing this research, I noticed an advertisement for an outdoors sports show. One of the organizations that would be at the event was the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF). My granddaughter and I decided to visit the show booth, where we met Tom Wondrash, national director of SSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target Program. The Scholastic Clay Target Program is an education-athletic organization that introduces youth to the shooting sports and facilitates their continued involvement by providing opportunities to safely and enjoyably participate and compete in high-quality, team-based shooting sports led by trained adult coaches. After talking with Tom, my granddaughter and I were sold on the program. We talked with our chapter’s Shotgun Committee chairman about sponsoring a youth team, and at the next chapter executive board meeting, he had me make a short presentation. The chapter enthusiastically agreed to sponsor a youth team. 
After promoting the idea at chapter meetings and in our newsletter, the team – now known as the Stafford Clay Shooters – began practicing at the finished chapter trap range. When the trap range was certified by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), the team decided to join ATA’s AIM (Academics, Integrity, Marksmanship) youth trapshooting program, which would allow the team to participate in youth-focused ATA events. In June 2016, our team participated in the Virginia AIM Youth Championship in Winchester and did a great job representing us! Developing a youth trap team with the support of the Alexandria Chapter has been a rewarding experience. The chapter supports the team and provides a place for youth to practice. The Scholastic Clay Target Program provides basic structure for the team, including qualifications for adult coaches. Through the NRA Foundation, the Friends of the NRA has provided the team with clay targets, ammunition, and an additional youth shotgun. I mention the youth team when we introduce prospective new members to our chapter. I also get calls from parents who see our information on the Scholastic Clay Target Program and AIM websites, and many times these interested parents become chapter members. I’m convinced there is no shortage of young men and women in 6th through 12th grades who are interested in shooting sports. The challenge in recruiting them is convincing their parents that it’s worth their time. Going to practice is one thing. Going to practice with your shotgun requires the constant support of an adult. The most important thing our shooters bring to the team is “attitude.” They are truly motivated and want to be there. The challenge in recruiting is convincing adults that this is something you can enjoy throughout your life. If a parent or grandparent enjoys the shooting sports, it’s a great way to establish a bond that will last a lifetime.
Briley is again offering impressive discounts on its chokes and accessories for 4H and SCTP members attending the Texas State 4-H Championships in San Antonio, Texas, and the SCTP Nationals in Marengo, Ohio. The discount includes a buy-one-choke, get-one-free sale. Because of limited inventory, Briley is currently taking pre-orders for chokes and accessories that can be picked up during the events. The sale is limited to 4-H and SCTP athletes only. All orders must be placed no later than June 30. 2017. Please email, mail, fax, or called in the following info to Briley.
Peregrine Outdoor Products announces its 2017 Team Program giving all shooting teams a 40% discount off MSRP prices of Wild Hare Shooting Gear, MizMac Designs and Peregrine Field Gear brands of products. In addition, Peregrine offers team logo embroidery starting at only $4. Peregrine offers a complete line of shooting apparel and accessories ranging from full vests and half vests to nylon bags, pouches and gun sleeves. To help teams look their best for an affordable price, Peregrine offers subsidized embroidery costs starting at only $4 per standard size logo. While not every product can be customized, rest assured that Peregrine will work closely with each team to find the options that best suit their needs. 
By Richard Scott, coach of Allen Eagles Competitive Shooting Team Two dozen youth shooting teams and over 280 athletes from across the state converged on Ellis County Sportsman’s Club in Waxahachie, Texas, May 5-7, for the Scholastic Clay Target Program’s annual state shotgun championships. “Ellis County is one of the few venues around that can handle a tournament this size in a single weekend,” noted coach Rich Keele. “If the participation continues growing at this rate, we may have to look at other options.” With potentially thousands of youth shooters in Texas, participation in the Scholastic Clay Target Program continues to skyrocket. In fact, SCTP has already reserved a date for next year’s regional tournament to be held at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio. Sponsored by White Flyer, more than 65,000 targets and 2,600 boxes of shotgun ammo decided individual, squad, and team state champions in American Skeet, American Trap, and Sporting Clays. According to SCTP representative and Allen Coach Jason Anderson, “We were concerned about the sheer volume of shooters and time constraints. But, the volunteers at ECSC did a remarkable job of keeping the equipment running and targets flying.” 
Over 300 medals, 20 trophies, 12 belt buckles, and 2 shotguns were awarded to youth shooting athletes in grades 6-12 competing in their respective classifications. For most, this was the pinnacle of their season having battled the elements throughout the six-month league season, which started back in November. Many will compete in the Regional Invitational Tournament against each other along with athletes from Oklahoma, Arizona, and Louisiana. Fewer still will go on to represent Texas at the SCTP American Team Nationals versus 3,000+ shooters from across the nation. A perennial favorite, the Allen Eagles brought home the coveted High Over All Team Championship trophy with Southlake, Dripping Springs, Katy, and Ennis finishing 2nd thru 5th respectively. The Eagles will have to step up their game next year. The level of competition just keeps getting tougher with more and better teams competing. In poignant reflection regarding the six young men accepting top honors for Allen… “All seniors,” Anderson lamented to the crowd at awards bringing about cheers of respect and hope for next year’s honors. 
Being Texas’ largest high school with over 6,000 students, Allen is always a prominent team contender. But, other teams and individuals showed they are serious about shooting including SCTP regulars Southlake Clay Target Team (Champion Skeet Team) and Trinity Christian Academy (2 of the top 3 Intermediate Skeet squads). Other area school teams that earned medals and trophies in various events included Burleson Spartans, Marcus, Coppell, Liberty Christian Academy, Argyle Eagles, Red Oak, and Highland Park. Getting in on the act, newcomers Katy Dusters (Champion JV Skeet & Sporting Squad) and Dripping Springs (2nd Place Varsity Sporting Squad in a 22:21 tie breaker over Katy) proved their metal with strong performances and bringing a crew of lady shooters sure to raise the bar not only for Texas, but nationally. Not letting the big 6A schools take all the glory, 4-H and recreational teams came from far and wide to show their stuff. Ellis County 4-H, Ennis Clay Target Team, and Hallettsville made their presence known by earning lots of awards and accolades for their performances. Perhaps the true champions… new team and late entry Nacona made their first appearance in a big-time tournament shooting under the lights in the overflow time slots on Friday night. From the smiling faces, I’d say they’re hooked. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now! For complete event results, please visit the 
HI VIZ, maker of many of the worlds most recognized shotgun sites, has recently announced continued support for the Scholastic Clay Target Program in 2017. Continuing as a Platinum level sponsor, HI VIZ has agreed to a substantial donation of product to SCTP for its National Championships along with sponsoring the 2017 “High Over All” team awards! “The SCTP is such a meaningful and productive channel into the shooting sports," said Leaha Wirth, HI VIZ vice president, sales and marketing. "We at HIVIZ put a lot of effort into cultivating youth shooters, and this program matches our initiatives perfectly. We are excited to renew our support of this awesome organization." Tom Wondrash, SCTP national director, said, “HI VIZ is truly a first class industry sponsor. Their support of the youth and competitive youth shooting programs is second to none. Their thinking-outside-the-box attitude is greatly appreciated and passed on to our athletes, coaches and teams around the country!” You may also get your company in the spotlight with a donation or sponsorship. Contact Tom Wondrash, SCTP’s national director at 
White Flyer, the nation’s premier clay target supplier, has announced its continued support of the nation’s leading youth shooting program, the SCTP! White Flyer manufacturers all types of clay targets used in the American and International shotgun shooting disciplines. “White Flyer Targets has been proud to be a sponsor of SCTP and its other programs since day one," Phil Murray, national sales manager for White Flyer Targets, said. "What SCTP has accomplished in the development of the shooting sports for young people and their families is remarkable. We look forward to this year’s event at Cardinal Center and its potential to be the largest tournament ever. Our congratulations to SCTP and its many volunteers and coaches for the job it currently does. From an industry perspective, SCTP and its supporters are very important – they truly represent the next generation of shooters and the future of our shooting sports. More importantly, it teaches our youth thru education and participation the importance of “sportsmanship” and other lifetime values.” Tom Wondrash, SCTP’s national director, said, “White Flyer has been involved as a sponsor and partner of the SCTP from day one. We truly value their continued support of our youth shooting program and are encouraged by their understanding of the need to support our future generations of clay target shooters.” If you or your company are interested in supporting the Scholastic Clay Target Program and its youth competitors, please contact National Director Tom Wondrash at 
Emmanuel College, located in northeast Georgia, is seeking a head coach for clay target shooting to lead the Men’s & Women’s Clay Target Shooting Program for the fall 2017 season. The position is initially part-time; however, dependent upon recruitment and retention goals, could be elevated to a full-time position. RESPONSIBILITIES: The Head Clay Target Shooting Coach is responsible for the recruitment, retention, and academic success of student athletes. In addition to coaching, this position maintains control and oversight of the Midway Endowment, operating budgets, fundraising, coordination of offsite training facilities, and scheduling of events. A complete job description is available upon request. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor degree from a four-year institution is preferred; NRA Safety Instructor Certification or a member of the National Rifle association or National Shooting Sports Foundation a plus. Previous coaching and recruitment experience in shooting competitions and/or teams is strongly preferred. Preference may also be given to candidates who have the ability to move to full-time employment status with the institution as enrollment goals are met. HOW TO APPLY: Please respond via email (preferred) by attaching the following: • Cover Letter • Resume • Statement of Faith/Personal Testimony: An explanation of the applicant's relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, including a brief account of accepting Christ as personal savior, church membership, and current church involvements. • Pastoral Letter of Recommendation: Needs to be from a current pastor and to include a verification of current church membership/attendance, a description of the applicant’s activity in the local congregation, and an evaluation of the quality of the candidates’ personal commitment to Christ. No applications will be considered until all application documents have been received. Email Application file to: Joann Harper, Director of Human Resources at jharper@ec.edu. Resumes can be mailed to: Emmanuel College; Attn: Joann Harper/Human Resources; PO Box 129; Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Review of applications will begin immediately.