ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CROWNED NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
August 9, 2007
More than 1,600 youths from 29 states endured the pounding heat and wind of Sparta, Illinois August 6th and 7th to compete in the 108th annual Grand American World Trapshooting Championships at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex. In the end, six states rose to the top with teams earning national honors, trophies and scholarship awards. Chester County and Arlington brought home top honors for the state of Tennessee.
On the heels of a District Championship, the Arlington High School Trappers Navy squad won the Junior Varsity Division National Championship by edging the second-place finisher by only a single target. Combining for a score of 965 were Cody Cochran, Brandon Barker, Taylor Garrison, Curtis Robinson, and Keaton Irving. Barker, Robinson, and Irving shot 100 straight runs over the two day event.
"Through the State, Regional’s and now National’s, this team has continued to improve. I'm just really proud of them. I brought three squads here and all of them improved their scores. This is a great day for Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)," said Coach Kermit Simons.
West Tennessee Regional Champions Matt Holt, Matt Segerson, Matt Lollar, Johnny Newman and Drew Reed of Arlington’s Gold squad dropped only 55 birds out of 1000 to score 945, five birds better than last year’s fourth place finish at the Grand. Arlington’s Blue squad, made up of first year shooters Jarrett Spegele, Meredith Smith, Ethan Kish, Cody Cardile and Josh Sexton blew away the competition with their 865.
"These young shooters not only competed against SCTP teams from around the country, they battled through wind, heat and nerves, and still put up impressive scores. In fact, over 300 shooters broke 190 or better out of 200 targets," said Zach Snow of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which coordinates SCTP at the national level. The Trappers had six shooters in the 190 plus range, Holt 195, Barker 196, Garrison 197, Robinson 195 and Irving 194.
Scholastic Trap Shooting was introduced to Shelby County Schools by Kevin Carter of Houston High School. It was through the cooperative efforts of Bill Cox of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission and State Representative Ron Lollar that the Tennessee Scholastic Target Program launched throughout the Shelby County School system and Briarcrest High School in the fall of 2005. Christian Brothers High School formed a team in 2006. “It is a testament to the skill, dedication, and determination of these young people, their parents, Coach Simons and the Arlington High School administration that a three year old high school would be able to produce a National Championship team. I find it remarkable that Arlington had District, Regional, and National Champions this year out of a two year old team. I can’t wipe the smile off my face!”
Shooting sports have seen phenomenal growth over the past several years with nearly 10,000 youth from 44 states participating in 2007. This growth is attributed to the efforts of the SCTP, volunteers, state wildlife agencies, firearms industry sponsors and a growing reputation as one of the safest scholastic sports in the country. According to Bill Dunn of the NSSF, Tennessee has more trap shooters in the program than any other state. The Tennessee SCTP is supported by Tennessee Wildlife Federation in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Additional support is provided by Friends of the National Rifle Association. Arlington High School practices at the Memphis Sport Shooting Association.
