Martin Methodist College won the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) College Nationals, held last month at the “Spooky” Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, OH. The facility, decked out with ghouls, goblins and witches, was once again the host for this second annual college event.
Two hundred and seventy one athletes from 16 states made up over 853 registrations at this year’s College Nationals. Throwing more than 148,600 clay targets in trap, skeet, sporting clays, bunker trap and 5-stand kept the Cardinal Center staff quite busy for a few days.
This year’s tournament saw an increase of 11 teams and almost 100 athletes over last year’s “inaugural” Championship event. Division 1 teams comprised of this year’s (HOA) champions, Martin Methodist College of Tennessee also included runner up Lindenwood University of Missouri, and third place Bethel College from Tennessee. Division II teams included this year’s champion’s Ft. Hayes State University of Kansas, followed by Clemson University of South Carolina, and taking third was Midland University of Nebraska. Division III schools were represented by this year’s National Champions Hillsdale College of Michigan, runner-up Roane State Community College Raiders of Tennessee, and third place University of Alabama.
The SCTP/SSSF has made available over $140,000 to teams in their MidwayUSA Foundation accounts for their placements at this year’s National event.
Individuals turning in stellar performances included Ladies HOA winner, Bailey Crenshaw of the Clemson team, and Men’s HOA winner, Austin Svoboda representing Ft. Hayes State. These athletes won SKB IS-300 shotguns compliments of the SCTP and SKB Shotguns. Other notables were perfect performances shot in the trap event (200 straight) by Caleb Lindsey—Martin Methodist College, Austin Svoboda—Ft. Hayes State and Justin Osborn—Martin Methodist College. Lindsey would go on to win the Individual National title with another 50 straight to beat out Svoboda and Osborn.
The tournaments “Last Competitor Standing” competition saw Madeline Kittrell of Roane State Community College taking the top ladies honor, and Ryan Gough from Ft. Hayes State outlasting the guys. Madeline would go on to take on the top men’s champion showing them that the ladies ruled this year. Madeline won a beautiful Shamrock leather shooting bag for her hard work, while both competitors won $1,000 scholarships compliments of the SCTP and the NRA.
“The SCTP staff, along with the Cardinal Center, did a fantastic job! Site improvements, shoot quality and the hard of work of these folks was definitely noticed and appreciated by all that attended,” said Chad Wittenburg, head coach of the Martin Methodist College Clay Target Team of Tennessee. “This tournament has become one of the pinnacle shoots for college shooting teams, drawing some of the best (and newest) teams from across the country. I am simply amazed by our athletes. Their dedication and commitment is very clear in our first ever Division I National Title!”
Tom Wondrash, SCTP national director, said, “Great facility, great teams, coaches, athletes, parents, and great weather! The SCTP team worked very hard and thoroughly enjoyed working with these great teams. We are extremely excited and looking forward to next year’s tournament! We received the final score sheet at about 1 p.m. on Sunday, started handing out awards at 1:10 p.m. and were finished (waving good-bye) to the teams and athletes by 2:00 p.m. It just doesn’t get any better than that for these teams!”
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