Young Gun Steals the Show in Men’s Double Trap at USAS National Championships for Shotgun

Junior shooter Billy Crawford earned his first National Championship title in Men’s Double Trap with a perfect 50 target final.

Nineteen-year-old Billy Crawford (Johnstown, Ohio) was the top athlete in Men’s Double Trap at the USA Shooting National Championships for Shotgun in Colorado Springs.  Crawford earned his first National Title today as a junior shooter with consistent scores and a tremendous final.

Crawford, who finished third at the second leg of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Tucson in May, entered the final with 290 match targets in the second position.  2012 U.S. Olympic Team nominee Staff Sergeant Josh Richmond (USAMU/Hillsgrove, Pa.) shot 291 for the first position in the final and dropped two birds for 48/50 targets in the final.  With his first perfect final (50/50 targets), Crawford edged out Richmond by one target.

“It was good to come back from the U.S. Olympic Team Trials after experiencing a let-down there,” said Crawford.  “I’ve been training hard and I was pleased to come here and win my first national title.  I stayed strong and kept my head straight for my first-ever 50/50 target sin the final.”

Richmond finished with the silver medal at 339 targets.  “I’ll take the scores I shot this week my entire career,” said Richmond.  “I’m pleased with the way I shot in a lead-up match to London.  You have to hand it to Billy as he shot great and earned it.  There are days when you shoot world-class scores and still get beat.  This was one of those days.  I applaud Billy on excellent shooting and I enjoyed competing against him.”

U.S. Army Marksmanship teammate and 2008 Olympian Sergeant Jeff Holguin (USAMU/Yorba Linda, Calif.) shot 288 targets and 47 in the final for the bronze medal.   Reigning 2008 Olympic Champion and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team nominee Sergeant Glenn Eller (USAMU/Katy, Texas) had trouble in the first competition day with 140/150 targets, but recovered on day two for 145/150 targets and fourth overall.

Private First Class Derek Haldeman (USAMU/Sunbury, Ohio) was fifth overall with 324 targets.  Junior shooter Ian Rupert (Muncy, Pa.) earned his spot in the final with 145/150 targets in today’s competition and finished sixth with 44 targets in the final.

In the Junior Men’s competition, Rupert was the high J1 shooter with 327 targets.  Christain Wilkoski  (Centerburg, Ohio) won the junior silver medal with 339 targets and Christopher Webster (Bainbridge, Ga.) was third with 299 targets.

The National Championship action continues July 5 with the first match day in Men’s and Women’s Trap.  The finals will be held on Sunday, July 8.  For all scores and results, please visit the Match Information page.

National Championship Schedule:

Sunday, July 1                  Double Trap Official Training
Monday, July 2                Double Trap (150 targets)
Tuesday, July 3                Double Trap (150 targets + 50 Target Final)
Wednesday, July 4         Men’s & Women’s Trap Official Training
Thursday, July 5              Men’s & Women’s Trap (75 Targets)
Friday, July 6                    Men’s & Women’s Trap (50 Targets)
Saturday, July 7               Men’s & Women’s Trap (75 Targets)
Sunday, July 8                  Men’s & Women’s Trap (50 Targets + 25 Target Final)