Sold Out Competition Kickstarts the 2023 Tennessee Shooting Sports Season

This past weekend, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Scholastic Clay Target Program (Tennessee SCTP) held its first event of the year, the 2023 Ironman Competition. Selling out in under four minutes, the competition is one of the most successful events in the program’s 22-year history.  

“It was a record-breaking weekend altogether,” said Ashley Tone, Tennessee SCTP manager. “As our program continues to grow, we look forward to providing opportunities for more of our athletes to compete and it’s great to see that they are eager to do so.”

The shooting event which typically hosts around 180 athletes, upped its capacity to host 226 athletes who represented 40 different teams from across the state. With more athletes present, the number of targets being thrown increased to over 67,800 which is 14,000 more than last year’s competition.

“The most attendance in history and all aspects of the event were smooth,” said Kevin Brogdon, head coach for the South Gibson County Shooting Sports team. “Thanks to the staff of [Nashville Gun Club] NGC and [Tennessee] SCTP for making this possible. [We’re] proud to be a part of the [Tennessee] SCTP.”

Despite the cold and rainy weather conditions, many athletes were at the top of their game and shot well over the two-day competition. Let’s recognize the weekend’s top scorers.

2023 Ironman Awards

Ironman HOA Grand Champion: Charles Cherry, Henry Co. No Fly Zone

Team Champion: HSSC Crush

Team Runner-Up: Str8 Shooters

Team Second Runner-Up: Santa Fe Sharpshooters

Collegiate Champion: Riley Oman, Southern Shooting Sports

Collegiate Runner-Up: Nicholas Ewton, Str8 Shooters

Collegiate Second Runner-Up: Will Gardner, William Blount Shooting Team

Varsity Lady Champion: Ashley Sellers, William Blount Shooting Team

Varsity Lady Runner-Up: Gabby Worthen, Dickson Clay Commanders

Varsity Lady Second Runner-Up: Morgan Hilliard, McKenzie Shooting Sports

Varsity Men Champion: Jacob Sullivan, St8 Shooters

Varsity Men Runner-Up: Luke Johnson, Middle Tennessee Christian School

Varsity Men Second Runner-Up: Clay Mitchell, Giles Co. Clay Dusters

Intermediate Lady Champion: Taylor Hilliard, McKenzie Shooting Sports

Intermediate Lady Runner-Up: Abby Tower, Cumber Co. Youth Shooting Sports

Intermediate Lady Second Runner-Up: Isabella Carr, Warriors

Intermediate Men Champion: Cody Stanford, Clarksville Christian School

Intermediate Men Runner-Up: Ian Fife, St8 Shooters

Intermediate Men Second Runner-Up: Will McDaniel, Henry Co. No Fly Zone

Rookie Champion: Channing Garrett, Middle Tennessee Christian School

Rookie Runner-Up: Peyton Hilliard, McKenzie Shooting Sports

Rookie Second Runner-Up: Samuel Holmes, Cumberland Co. Youth Shooting Sports