SCTP joined with Jacksonville University (FL) and the Jacksonville Skeet & Trap Club on October 18-19 to host the 7th annual Southeast Collegiate Invitational Regional Championship Shoot. With 131 athletes from nine universities participating, this has become one of the largest collegiate regional shoots in the country. The teams competed in American Skeet, American Trap, International Wobble Trap, and Sporting Clays. Emmanuel College was the High Over All (HOA) team by four targets over runner-up Jacksonville University. The University of Kentucky, Clemson University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University took third, fourth, and fifth places, respectively. Other colleges participating included Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Florida State University, University of North Florida, and Stetson University. $40,000 in endowment funding was provided by SCTP for the event and will be deposited into the teams' endowment accounts at MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc. HOA Trap, Skeet, International Wobble Team Results:
Fort Hays State University and Scholastic Clay Target Program hosted the 3rd SCTP Central Region Collegiate Championship event at the Heartland Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska on October 17-19. The 500-target event included 100 targets each in trap singles, wobble, skeet, skeet doubles, and sporting clays. A total of 95 student athletes from 11 colleges participated in the event. The top five placing colleges were:
HOA Champion
Fort Hays State University
Runner-up
Lindenwood University
3rd place
Midland University
4th place
Trinidad Junior College
5th place
Hastings College
Other participating colleges included the University of Central Missouri, Colorado State University, Concordia University, Kansas State University, Pratt Community College, and Wichita State University. SCTP provided $26,000 in endowment funds for the event and will deposit the funds into the schools' endowment accounts at MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc.
We recently closed our National Championships survey after several hundred of you gave us your feedback on our year's big events. As promised, we have drawn the names of eight (8) respondents to win a prize from SCTP or SPP. Congratulations to these winners:
Aiden Belongia - SPP shooter from Wisconsin
SPP water bottle, patch, and pin Houston Unsell - SPP shooter from Alabama
SPP water bottle, patch, and pin Darin Bruski - SPP and SCTP shooter from Wisconsin
SPP water bottle, patch, and pin William M. Seifert - SCTP shooter from Michigan
Case of Nobel Sport ammo Dakota Bishop - SCTP shooter from Texas
Case of Fiocchi ammo John Michael Baggett - SCTP shooter from Tennessee
SCTP hat and t-shirt Edward Rowland - SCTP coach from Tennessee
Weather Writer System Terry Brookman - SCTP coach from Missouri
SCTP lanyard, coffee mug, and hot/cold pack
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to our survey and provide us with valuable information that we will use to make future events even better.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation offers three important tips for shotgunners that can help you shoot better, hit more targets, and enjoy your day on the course more. NSSF Video
Note: This is the first in a series of shooting and competition tips from the SSSF staff. While working with an ammunition company several years ago, I joined members of our sales and marketing team at a police pistol range for some training on a bitterly cold January morning to gain a better understanding of officers' needs in ammunition and the dangers they face in the field. A tactical course was set up, with the officer required to shoot accurately, correctly distinguish the good guys from the bad guys that were popping up and moving into the course of fire, rescue a partner who had been "shot" without also getting shot, move to a safer area, and more -- and do it all FAST. I was seriously out of my element. Although I was a shooter, I had no law enforcement or tactical expertise, nor did the rest of our team. The range officer brought in an expert to demonstrate the course. But not just any expert -- it was the officer who held the record for shooting the course. He dazzled us with his speed and accuracy as he performed every challenge perfectly. Then it was our turn. Several members of our staff went through the course before Randell's name was called. Underdressed in his warm-weather clothes and loafers, Randell approached the starting box. Tap, tap, move. Tap, tap, move. Minutes later, Randell had not only stunned all the spectators, but he had broken the course record the first time he shot it! His secret, he explained, was that it wasn't the first time he shot the course; he had spent the previous half hour visualizing the course and mentally shooting it. In his mind, he placed every shot, moved to the next challenge, took every step, rescued the downed partner, took cover, and developed the rhythm he needed to do it quickly and smoothly. We all learned something important from Randell's performance. It was too late to help me that day -- I was the next shooter -- but I've practiced it many times since then, not just in pistol shooting, but in shotgunning and other active pursuits. I haven't broken any records, but I've benefited every time I have visualized the process. -- Sherry Kerr, SSSF Media & Communications
As another year starts to wind down, we are inching closer to the MidwayUSA Foundation matching deadlines. Don't miss your chance to double, triple, even quadruple your money! Funds returned to the MidwayUSA Foundation stemming from one of their recent promotions (Zeiss Binoculars, Browning Knife Set, Winchester 280, SKB RS300) by November 30, 2014, will be matched 3:1. Funds returned from previous promotions (Our Family Legacy, Silver Sporting) are matched 1:1. See MidwayUSA Foundation's promotions page for additional details. General donations are also matched. Donate to the team of your choice and your donation will be matched 2:1 by Larry and Brenda Potterfield! Find your team here. Your donation is tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to your local shooting team. But hurry -- this match also ends November 30, 2014. According to MidwayUSA Foundation, in 2015 they plan to bring new incentives to your teams to grow your Team Endowment Accounts. They also hope to offer another matching program, but don't miss your chance this year! Donate today!
The U.S. isn't the only place where clay target shooting is enjoying growth among student athletes. In Jamaica, the shotgun sports are experiencing an upward trend, and youth are responsible for much of that growth. In 2011, Jamaica's national coach initiated a junior shooting program with only five participants. Now, 65 to 75 youth shooters regularly participate in events. At a recent inter-school competition, 12 school teams competed, and there is a movement in place to gain representation in skeet shooting at the Olympic Games. With the growth of interest in shooting among high school students, the Jamaican program has sought guidance from none other than the largest youth shooting program in the U.S. -- the Scholastic Clay Target Program. Among other areas of development, the Jamaican program is hoping to open doors that will lead to the availability of shooting scholarships for its students at U.S. universities. Who knows, you may someday meet your Jamaican counterparts at an SCTP event or even have them as teammates on college teams! Stay tuned.
When you need to contact the SSSF staff, we want to give you the help you need as efficiently as possible. We know that no one likes being passed from person to person in search of a simple answer. To help you get to the right person the first time, please follow these guidelines:
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
For any program-related issues regarding SCTP, such as:
Registration
SHOT System assistance
Team, coach, or athlete registration
Username / password help
Contact Amanda Wondrash, awondrash@sssfonline.com, 262-206-4634. For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.
Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP)
For any program-related issues regarding SPP, such as:
In this country, we take pride in making up days to celebrate anything – donuts, pirates, and even our bosses. USA Shooting knows a good celebration when they see one, and traditionally, that’s been as a result of medal-worthy performances set down by its athletes. But today, 10.9, USA Shooting has claimed the day as its very own. In target shooting, a 10.9 is the mark of perfection, proof that excellence has been achieved. Excellence is a virtue of the USA Shooting Team, so on 10.9 (October 9), USA Shooting has encouraged its community to aim for excellence in all the shots you take in life. "We’re recognizing those moments in time when the ordinary became extraordinary and when jaws were dropped," says USA Shooting. "On this day, and every day thereafter, strive for excellence in all that you do, and may every shot you take in life be in pursuit of the highest mark, your 10.9." While not everyone has shot that elusive 10.9, what’s important is encouraging and celebrating people who help us on that path toward excellence. Encourage someone this week, and be sure to say "thanks" to someone who has encouraged you!
SCTP is hosting an NRA Level 1 Shotgun Certification Course in Grand Island, Nebraska, on December 6-7. The classroom portion of the class will be held at the Grand Island Police Department/Hall County Corrections Administrative Building conference room (111 Public Safety Dr., Grand Island, NE). The range portion of the class will be held at the Heartland Public Shooting Park (6788 W Husker Hwy, Grand Island, NE) on December 7. To register, complete the form and return with your payment. You can also contact Amanda Wondrash by phone at 262-206-4634 to pay by credit card. The cost of the class will be $190 for non-registered SCTP coaches or $125 for currently registered SCTP coaches. If we get 20 or more class attendees, we will refund $25 each to SCTP current registered coaches. Rooms are available at the Holiday Inn – Midtown (2503 S. Locust St., Grand Island, NE (308-384-1330) for $108.99/night (King) and $ 101.99/night (Double) plus tax. Please mention the SCTP Coach Class and Book Early and Save Rates for the rate.
Class starts promptly at 8 am each day; on Saturday, please expect to be in class until 5 p.m. On Sunday, the class will start in the classroom at 8 a.m. and go until about noon. After lunch, you will travel to the range for the remainder of the day. Please dress accordingly for the weather and prepare to be outside all afternoon.
There will be an informational meeting Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn – Midtown in the conference room. During that meeting, the instructor will go over several aspects of the SCTP and answer any questions you may have regarding your team or the SCTP program. It is strongly recommended that you take the couple of hours to learn what the SCTP has to offer you, your team, and your athletes.
For more information, contact Amanda Wondrash, 262-206-4634.
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.
