Clay Crushing Cougars Compete

The Piedmont Academy Clay Crushing Cougars recently took part in one of the most exciting shooting events of the year. The GISA held the varsity State Shooting Competition December 1-2 at Forest City Gun Club in Savannah.

Over the two day event, competitors shot 100 rounds in each discipline of skeet, trap and sporting clays. The 11 members that qualified for the state shoot were Owen Brady, Blake Calhoun, Andrew Chapko, Drake Coody, Kevin Davis, Anne Marie Hildebrant, Tanner Locklear, Mitch Marsh, Madison Sanders, Cody Vaughn, and Eli Waits The Clay Crushing Cougars finished in sixth place and competed with 21 schools and 179 shooters in the Interscholastic category.

The top three shooters for the team in skeet were Mitch Marsh–97, Anne Marie Hildebrant and Drake Coody–93, Owen Brady– 90. In the discipline of trap Eli Waits scored 91, Anne Marie Hildebrant and Mitch Marsh– 87, Andrew Chapko–79. In sporting clays Eli Waits–91, Mitch Marsh–90, and Anne Marie Hildebrant-70.

Huge congratulations to Mitch Marsh and Eli Waits for making the All-State Team and Anne Marie Hildebrant placed fifth in ladies skeet, fifth in trap, and went into a shoot off for sporting clays and winning it for the third place title.

The middle school team competed November 30 shooting 50 rounds in skeet, 50 rounds in trap and 100 rounds in sporting clays. The seven members that qualified for the state shoot were Brody Anderson, Spencer Carter, Rhett Harris, Mark Hicks, Drew Maddox, Ridge Stoud, and Jake Vaughn. The Cougars competed shooting all three disciplines in one day. They finished in fifth place overall out of 14 schools and 59 shooters.

The top three middle school shooters for the team in skeet were Brody Anderson–40, Mark Hicks–37, and Spencer Carter–35. In the discipline of trap Drew Maddox–44, Mark Hicks–37, and Jake Vaughn–36. In sporting clays Mark Hicks score–74, Brody Anderson–69, and Drew Maddox–62.

“It was a fun experience and an excellent three days of shooting. We couldn’t be more proud of the progress and hard work each of the team members has contributed throughout the season,” noted one of the Claying Crushing Cougars coaches.

Overall the coaches and team members can’t believe that the end of the season is already upon us. Seniors Andrew Chapko, Kevin Davis, Anne Marie Hildebrant, and Mitch Marsh will be missed by the team as they have been excellent role models and a huge help to the shooting program.