Local trio competes at Scholastic Clay Target Program’s state skeet championships

Contributed Photo – The Lyndonville trio of Jonathan Frasier, Lane Woodworth and Molly Frasier competed in the SCTP state skeet championships on Saturday at Victor.

Orleans County middle and high school-aged kids made the trek to Victor, N.Y. for the Scholastic Clay Target Program’s (SCTP) New York State Skeet Championships on Saturday.

For those who may not be familiar with the program, SCTP is one part of the nationally based Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) that provides student athletes aged elementary through college with a supportive environment where shooting sports serve as catalysts for teaching life lessons and skills that emphasize positive character traits and citizenship values.

The SSSF is a 501©(3) educational athletic organization dedicated to providing shooting sports education and opportunities around the United States to encourage school-age athletes personal growth and development. The second part of the organization is the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP). The SASP, through different paper and metallic target events, also provides student athletes with a supportive environment where shooting sports can also lead to collegiate athletic scholarships. There are approximately eleven Division I universities recruiting clay target competitors for next year’s teams.

Orleans County students compete against other student athletes from all corners of New York State. To reach the State Championships, athletes must qualify at a regional event. Those who qualify are eligible participants for the SCTP National Championships in Marengo, Ohio, where approximately 30,000 entrants will compete over a two-week period in all shooting disciplines in July.

Orleans County resident, Allegany/Friendship Coach, and Former U.S. Shooting Team member, Paul Gilbert, stated, “shooting sports are amongst the fastest growing and safest youth athletic activity in the country.” He also shared that his students “connected not only with others in New York but also in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Minnesota, and the acquaintances continued through the off season.”

Students who competed on Saturday at Victor Rod and Gun Club for the skeet shooting event are also planning to attend the New York State SCTP Sporting Clays Championships on June 15 in Lockport at North Forest Gun Club. They will also compete at the New York State SCTP Trap Championships at the Central Square Gun Club near Syracuse, NY.

Gilbert stated that he “prefers SCTP over other clay target leagues. There are other leagues that are doing great things for student athletes. I feel SCTP is an effective program for those who take full advantage of it because colleges are looking for well-rounded competitors.” Mr. Gilbert added, “SCTP has International or Olympic Style clay target competitions that can lead students to Junior Olympic Development Programs and qualifying for the US Shooting Team.”

Molly Frasier, a seventh grader from Lyndonville, likes SCTP. And the reason? She stated her medical condition “prevents me from doing other sports, but shooting is one sport I can do!”

Molly is in her first year of shooting and recorded her personal best score of 58 in skeet. She also competes in trap and sporting clays. Molly said she would “recommend others to come out and see what clay target shooting is like and watch her compete.”

Molly’s older brother Jonathan Frasier, a 10th grader at Lyndonville, pointed out “that shooting sports are fun and does not discriminate. Gender and physical challenges, or any other challenges a person may feel is holding them back from traditional school sports, does not matter when it comes to the shooting sports. You can participate in shooting sports and feel welcomed and valued.”

At Victor Rod and Gun Club, Jonathan was crowned event Champion with a score of 98 x 100. This was his personal best as well as having his first 25 and 50 straight. Jonathan feels shooting sports “teaches respect, patience and teamwork” while still being an individual performer. Jonathan believes, “Practicing is key and listening to your coaches because they make it easier for you to improve and being able to control your emotions when you are having a bad day.”

When asked about winning his first championship, Jonathan stated, “It’s overwhelming. I am happy to see all the hard work I have put in has paid off. Through practice and drills at home and on the range, help me focus and learn to track the targets better.” Jonathan hopes to reach his next goal of 100 x 100 in skeet.

Lyndonville 8th grader, Lane Woodworth, was crowned Intermediate Advanced class winner with an 87 x 100. Lane, in his third year of shooting all three clay target disciplines, stated, “there’s a lot of good people in this sport.” He also added, “don’t let your emotions dictate your actions.” Lane went on to say “[you] don’t need to be athletic to be able to compete. Everyone is treated the same and shooting clay targets is something you can do the rest of your life.” When asked what his favorite shooting discipline was, Lane smiled and said, “I like all of them but skeet is my favorite.” Lane is looking forward to the possible opportunity to attend a Junior Olympic Development Camp at Midland College upon returning from Nationals in July.

Jonathan and Lane were named to the New York State ALL-STATE Team.

All three student athletes have qualified for the SCTP National Tournament.