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The Shanksville-Stonycreek sporting clays team made an impression at the Scholastic Clay Target Program Pennsylvania State Championship June 27 in Elysburg.
Led by Colton Henry, Wyatt Weigle and Chase Kimmel, who finished with the three highest scores on the team, the Shanksville-Stonycreek Scatterguns finished third in the sporting clays intermediate entry division.
"We were all pleasantly surprised," said Shanksville-Stonycreek coach Roy Fritz. "I was shocked we did that well. They all performed well that day. This is the largest event they have all been to. We did not participate in the state championship last year. This was pretty special. The kids were impressed with how many people were there for the event. It was a little overwhelming for the kids with everything that was going on that day."
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Thirty-two individuals competed in the division. The Shanksville-Stonycreek team was comprised of seventh and eighth graders, who were all in their first year of competition. The state championship is both an individual and team event, where everyone is performing as an individual.
There were 250 athletes who participated in the sporting clays event overall, while 560 athletes competed in the trap event. Shanksville-Stonycreek is the lone Somerset County school with a SCTP squad. It is not a PIAA sport, but rather a club sport, which could prove beneficial in the long run.
"It is helpful that this is a club sport because a lot of schools do not allow athletes to compete in more than one sport during a given season," Fritz said. "We shoot in the spring and early summer, so we don't have any conflicts with baseball or softball."
Fritz, who owns Stonycreek Shooting Center, is hoping to open doors with this program.
"I am hoping to create new opportunities for kids," Fritz said. "It is a feeder program for college teams, college opportunities and the Olympics. There are a number of colleges that are starting to have teams. Pitt-Johnstown is starting trap. Mount Aloysius, Waynesburg and Saint Vincent all have teams, so this is something that will create opportunities. Shooting sports are unique, where people can participate for the rest of their lives. I have 80-year-olds still shooting. I don't see many people that age playing tackle football or baseball."
Fritz struck gold once already in his life. He played an integral role in starting rifle programs across Somerset County. Many athletes have gone on to compete collegiate in rifle. Shanksville-Stonycreek is using this as a high school-affiliated sport, beginning in seventh grade, giving athletes a different outlet to showcase their skills.
"I am the guy that ran around 25 years ago and got high school rifle programs started in Somerset County," Fritz said. "I am hoping shotgun is going to do the same thing. If we can get a couple schools started in the county, I think the majority will follow suit. Everyone at Shanksville was supportive when I made the presentation to the school board. People have seen what rifle has provided and the opportunities it has created."
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Shanksville-Stonycreek takes 3rd at state sporting clays competition
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Led by Colton Henry, Wyatt Weigle and Chase Kimmel, who finished with the three highest scores on the team, the Shanksville-Stonycreek Scatterguns finished third in the sporting clays intermediate entry division.
"We were all pleasantly surprised," said Shanksville-Stonycreek coach Roy Fritz. "I was shocked we did that well. They all performed well that day. This is the largest event they have all been to. We did not participate in the state championship last year. This was pretty special. The kids were impressed with how many people were there for the event. It was a little overwhelming for the kids with everything that was going on that day."
All-state softball accolades 8 Somerset County softball players earn 2026 all-state honors
Top baseball honors 7 Somerset County athletes garner all-state baseball accolades
Thirty-two individuals competed in the division. The Shanksville-Stonycreek team was comprised of seventh and eighth graders, who were all in their first year of competition. The state championship is both an individual and team event, where everyone is performing as an individual.
There were 250 athletes who participated in the sporting clays event overall, while 560 athletes competed in the trap event. Shanksville-Stonycreek is the lone Somerset County school with a SCTP squad. It is not a PIAA sport, but rather a club sport, which could prove beneficial in the long run.
"It is helpful that this is a club sport because a lot of schools do not allow athletes to compete in more than one sport during a given season," Fritz said. "We shoot in the spring and early summer, so we don't have any conflicts with baseball or softball."
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Fritz, who owns Stonycreek Shooting Center, is hoping to open doors with this program.
"I am hoping to create new opportunities for kids," Fritz said. "It is a feeder program for college teams, college opportunities and the Olympics. There are a number of colleges that are starting to have teams. Pitt-Johnstown is starting trap. Mount Aloysius, Waynesburg and Saint Vincent all have teams, so this is something that will create opportunities. Shooting sports are unique, where people can participate for the rest of their lives. I have 80-year-olds still shooting. I don't see many people that age playing tackle football or baseball."
Fritz struck gold once already in his life. He played an integral role in starting rifle programs across Somerset County. Many athletes have gone on to compete collegiate in rifle. Shanksville-Stonycreek is using this as a high school-affiliated sport, beginning in seventh grade, giving athletes a different outlet to showcase their skills.
"I am the guy that ran around 25 years ago and got high school rifle programs started in Somerset County," Fritz said. "I am hoping shotgun is going to do the same thing. If we can get a couple schools started in the county, I think the majority will follow suit. Everyone at Shanksville was supportive when I made the presentation to the school board. People have seen what rifle has provided and the opportunities it has created."
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Shanksville-Stonycreek takes 3rd at state sporting clays competition
Continue reading...
