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08-31-05, 09:56
FORT CARSON, Colo. -The men and women's trap event drew to a close Sunday at the International Shotgun Range on Fort Carson, thus, officially ending the week-long Junior Olympic National Championships.
Seventeen-year-old Matt Heck (Canon City, Colo.) finished strong in the qualifying rounds with an extremely impressive score of 122 out of 125. He then went on to hit a 19 in the final for a 141 total score and the gold.
Heck has only been shooting international trap for one year, first getting into this sport at last year's Junior Olympic Championships. He finished 24th in 2004, but has recently moved to Colorado from New Mexico to be closer to the National Team Coach, Lloyd Woodhouse, and the International Shotgun Ranges, outside Colorado Springs.
"I would like to think it has been my dedication that has made the difference in my scores," Heck said, "that, and a bit of luck."
Heck finished third at the National Championships last month, making it onto the National Team, and really catching a lot of shooter's attention.
"I shot 100-straight in practice recently, so I was coming into this match feeling very comfortable with my shooting," Heck added. "I really enjoy this sport, which makes all the practice and training I do a lot easier."
Richard Valdez, also of Canon City, Colo., finished in second place after a 12 target shoot-off with California-native Brian Burrows. Both Valdez and Burrows finished with a 140, just one point behind Heck.
And on the women's side, another California-native made the medal stand. Susan Sledge, of El Cajon, Calif., finished with a 135 total score and her first National win. Sledge has been shooting international trap for just over three years. But, her breakthrough performance was at this year's World Championships when she took the bronze medal in junior women's trap. Sledge attributes her recent success to vision therapy.
"I've been seeing a doctor that has been working on my vision," Sledge says. "That in itself has helped me so much."
Pennsylvania native Molly Bender hit a 131 for the silver medal, while Goldie Pippen, of Missouri, hit a 128 to round out the top-three.
For more information on USA Shooting's Junior Olympic Championships, please contact Sara Greenlee at 719-866-4896 or by email at sara.greenlee@usashooting.org (sara.greenlee@usashooting.org ).
Men's Trap
Final Results
1. Matt Heck, 141; 2. Richard Valdez, 140 (12); 3. Brian Burrows, 140 (11); 4. Gregory Mosier, 138; 5. Tyler Harris, 136; 6. Miles Harris, 135.
Women's Trap
Final Results
1. Susan Sledge, 135; 2. Molly Bender, 131; 3. Goldie Pippen, 128; 4. Tamara Desso, 127; 5. Breanna Heckenkamp, 124; 6. Stephanie Walters, 120. Media Contact:
Sara Greenlee
719-866-4896
sara.greenlee@usashooting.org (sara.greenlee@usashooting.org )
Seventeen-year-old Matt Heck (Canon City, Colo.) finished strong in the qualifying rounds with an extremely impressive score of 122 out of 125. He then went on to hit a 19 in the final for a 141 total score and the gold.
Heck has only been shooting international trap for one year, first getting into this sport at last year's Junior Olympic Championships. He finished 24th in 2004, but has recently moved to Colorado from New Mexico to be closer to the National Team Coach, Lloyd Woodhouse, and the International Shotgun Ranges, outside Colorado Springs.
"I would like to think it has been my dedication that has made the difference in my scores," Heck said, "that, and a bit of luck."
Heck finished third at the National Championships last month, making it onto the National Team, and really catching a lot of shooter's attention.
"I shot 100-straight in practice recently, so I was coming into this match feeling very comfortable with my shooting," Heck added. "I really enjoy this sport, which makes all the practice and training I do a lot easier."
Richard Valdez, also of Canon City, Colo., finished in second place after a 12 target shoot-off with California-native Brian Burrows. Both Valdez and Burrows finished with a 140, just one point behind Heck.
And on the women's side, another California-native made the medal stand. Susan Sledge, of El Cajon, Calif., finished with a 135 total score and her first National win. Sledge has been shooting international trap for just over three years. But, her breakthrough performance was at this year's World Championships when she took the bronze medal in junior women's trap. Sledge attributes her recent success to vision therapy.
"I've been seeing a doctor that has been working on my vision," Sledge says. "That in itself has helped me so much."
Pennsylvania native Molly Bender hit a 131 for the silver medal, while Goldie Pippen, of Missouri, hit a 128 to round out the top-three.
For more information on USA Shooting's Junior Olympic Championships, please contact Sara Greenlee at 719-866-4896 or by email at sara.greenlee@usashooting.org (sara.greenlee@usashooting.org ).
Men's Trap
Final Results
1. Matt Heck, 141; 2. Richard Valdez, 140 (12); 3. Brian Burrows, 140 (11); 4. Gregory Mosier, 138; 5. Tyler Harris, 136; 6. Miles Harris, 135.
Women's Trap
Final Results
1. Susan Sledge, 135; 2. Molly Bender, 131; 3. Goldie Pippen, 128; 4. Tamara Desso, 127; 5. Breanna Heckenkamp, 124; 6. Stephanie Walters, 120. Media Contact:
Sara Greenlee
719-866-4896
sara.greenlee@usashooting.org (sara.greenlee@usashooting.org )