FHSU Shotgun team competes in San Antonio

By EMILY MILLER

Tiger Media Network

The 2026 ACUI/SCTP Collegiate Clay Target Championships marked the largest and final event of the season for the FHSU Shotgun Sports Team.

The team departed Hays early March 16, heading to San Antonio, Texas, ready to compete on the national stage.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” said FHSU head coach Jerrod Lies. “They showed heart when it mattered, toughness when it was tested and unity through it all. Nationals was just the stage — the real story is the work they put in to get there.”

March 17 served as a warm-up day, allowing the team to prepare for the week ahead.

Competition began March 18 with Super Sporting in the morning, followed by Sporting Clays in the afternoon. The Tigers performed well, shooting a 443×500 in Sporting Clays and earning third place as a team. Top contributors included Xander Winchel, Luke Bower, Korbin Smith, Will Esfeld and Greyson Bollinger.

March 19 focused on Trap events, where the team had a solid showing. In Trap Singles, the Tigers took first with an 499×500. The top five included Luke Bower, Greyson Bollinger, Zach Garrett, Jackson Yost and Breanna Zogg.

Later in Double Trap, the team shot a 481×500, earning third place with strong performances from Greyson Bollinger, Will Esfeld, Luke Bower, Grant Rainey and Breanna Zogg.

March 20 marked the final day of competition. The team started with Skeet Doubles, taking second place with a score of 482×500. Team members included Emily Miller, Andrew Saville, Logan Schmidt, Landen Nowak and Xander Winchel.

In the final event, American Skeet, the Tigers shot a 492×500, finishing third with Dawson Arnett, Braden Chambers, Zach Garrett, Austin Smith and Korbin Smith leading the way.

March 21 was dedicated to shoot-offs and awards. Several athletes competed in individual shoot-offs, including Luke Bower, Zach Garrett, Greyson Bollinger, Jackson Yost, Xander Winchel, Emily Miller and Breanna Zogg. The team also entered a high-stakes HOA shoot-off against Emmanuel University after tying at 2855×3000. After a long and intense competition, the Tigers came out on top, earning the title of 2026 Division II Runner-Up National Champions and finishing fourth overall across all divisions.

“I am very proud of the young men and women of the FHSU Shotgun Sports Team,” said assistant coach Damian Giles. “They fought hard, showed grit and tenacity through this season, and we are grateful for the opportunity to overcome those challenges. This has been an incredible season; this 2025-2026 team will be remembered for a long time. Though it did not end the way we were all hoping down in San Antonio, I am confident in how we are looking for next year.”

Highlights from the 2025-2026 Season: