Think back to when you first got involved in shooting sports. Whether you were curious or your parents encouraged you to try, it likely seemed like just another after-school activity at first. But looking back, you realize it turned into something much bigger—an experience that shaped you, even if you weren’t aware of it at the time.
Committing to a sport, especially at a young age, teaches you more than how to aim and shoot. It builds life skills that help you grow both as an athlete and a person.
As we celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), we’re reflecting on how shooting sports have shaped the lives of girls and women at all levels. With shooting sports participation on the rise, there’s an exciting opportunity for more girls and women to get involved. Sharing these perspectives on personal growth, we hope to inspire others to discover competitive clay target shooting.
Balancing Ambition and Achievement
Because of shooting sports, Gabby Worthen, a Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) alum, learned early on the importance of juggling multiple responsibilities while staying focused on her goals. Throughout high school, Gabby earned both athletic and academic honors, including being named valedictorian of her class. This foundation of discipline and commitment continues to guide her as she pursues a degree in kinesiology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, with aspirations in sports medicine or chiropractic.
“I can give shooting sports much credit for the strong work ethic and confidence I have today. By having this balance of tremendously rewarding moments and absolutely humbling pitfalls, you truly come to acknowledge [how much hard work success requires],” said Worthen. “For many, the sport is a focal point of their life, but so is school, the future, or even a career further down the line. The sport forces you to find a balance between academics and training that is extremely helpful in your future.”
Exploring the World Through Shooting
At just 20 years old, Alishia “Fayth” Layne has already seen more of the world than many people ever will—all because of shooting sports. As a world champion in international skeet, she’s traveled from South Korea to Peru, gaining unique cultural experiences and building lasting connections along the way.
“I chose to pursue the Olympic side of the sport, [which] is very challenging, but it has brought great reward,” explained Layne. “It has provided many trips and adventures for my family and me to enjoy together. [Plus,] I have friends all over the country and around the world. Shooting has given me an education outside the classroom and brought many friends and family into my life, which are great blessings.”
Shooting and Growing Together
The SCTP, open to students from elementary through high school and college, has given sixth grader Peyton Hilliard from the McKenzie Shooting Sports team the chance to share something special with her two older sisters. Because of shooting sports, she has had the opportunity to create lasting family memories, while also growing closer with her sisters as they learn more about each other’s strengths and challenges.
“We are all very competitive, but at the end of a shoot, we have to ride home together. It’s taught us a lot more about how to work with each other and still get along. When we struggle, we help each other out. We learn how to leave it on the field more and more as time goes on,” said Hilliard.
Finding a Community
Since the fourth grade, Dakota Duke has been competing in shooting sports, sparked by an ad her parents found in the newspaper. Now, as a senior at Bethel University competing at the collegiate level, she values the network of connections she’s made because of shooting sports.
“Shooting has done so much for me in my life,” stated Duke. “The relationships and friends I have made through shooting with a team are what I find most rewarding. When we can support each other, not only on the field but even at school, that is so rewarding to me.”
Turning Experience into Leadership
Because of shooting sports, Terri Dewitt formed a leadership style rooted in understanding and empathy. Her development as a highly decorated athlete on the world stage has shaped her approach to mentoring, enabling her to guide athletes through both triumphs and setbacks. This background has made her an effective leader as the SCTP’s Director of Development for the Southeast and Head Coach of SCTP’s International Team.
“I think my time as an athlete makes it easier for me as a coach to understand the struggle to overcome the obstacles and the challenges to being the best athlete you can be at any given time,” said Dewitt. “Success is not a linear progression and failure is not final. We drive ourselves so hard because we want to win every single competition we enter. But success isn’t always defined by the win column. Took me a long time to learn, and accept, that as an athlete. Some of those lessons are learned the hard way. I can relate to that.”
As National Girls & Women in Sports Day reminds us of the tremendous impact sports have on girls and women, it’s clear that shooting sports is no exception. These stories highlight the discipline, confidence, leadership, and camaraderie that defines the sport.
At Tennessee SCTP, we’re proud to support this growing community and encourage more girls and women to experience the personal growth and connections that come with being part of a shooting sports team. If you’re interested in joining a team near you, click here.
