3 from Albion competed at nationals in clay target shooting
Provided photos: This group from the Albion High School clay target shooting team traveled to Michigan for the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship. They include, from left: Tim Brien (coach), Patrick Brien, Alex Rustay, Shane Hastings and Jeff Atwell (coach).
Alex Rustay fires at a target during the competition on Saturday. He nearly qualified for the finals on Sunday.
ALBION – Three members of the clay target shooting team at Albion High School capped off the first year of the program by competing in nationals over weekend.
Patrick Brien, Alex Rustay and Shane Hastings were among 1,800 students in the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship at Mason, Mich., traveling seven hours each way.
Saturday’s event was the qualifier for the championship on Sunday. The top 400 shooters from Saturday advance to Sunday’s finals. This year the shooters needed to hit at east 92 out of 100 targets to advance to the finals on Sunday.
Alex Rustay was the closest for Albion, missing the competition on Sunday by 1 target.
“I am proud of all the student athletes that participated in the program,” said Jeff Atwell, one of the coaches. “The program would not be possible without the help of the coaches, parents and the cooperation of the school. I would like to especially thank Chris Rice. Without him, there would not be a high school clay target club in Albion! His dedication to the program is outstanding. We hope to be back next year!”
