Competing against teams from 26 other states, the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program produced three national champions and four other teams that brought home top-three finishes at the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation's 2010 Scholastic Clay Target Program Championships.

"This year was a great year for Tennessee teams and our program in general," said Chad Whittenburg of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. Whittenburg, who serves as Outreach Director for TWF and oversees the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program's day to day operations added, "Tennessee rose to the challenge and exceeded all expectations at this year's nationals. I look forward to watching some of these young athletes one day compete at the collegiate and Olympic levels."

The event had more than 1,500 athletes competing for in titles trap, skeet and sporting clays during the four-day event. Tennessee's SCTP program, the largest in the U.S., is a program of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and is funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Three of the Tennessee teams rose to the top, with the 3@8 Red Skeet team winning the Varsity Division skeet competition with a score of 589 out of a possible 600. Colin King of Mount Pleasant and Garrett Shrader of Santa Fe broke 197 targets and Hayden Stewart of Columbia broke 195 to lead Coach William Stewart's team to the title.

During the 2009 competition the 3@8 team finished second.

"We have been second and third in the nation, now we are national champions," Stewart said. "These kids worked hard to earn it".

The Carroll County 4-H Claybusters won the Junior Varsity Division Trap championship with a score of 946 out of a possible 1,000. Cory Mathis scored a 194, Cody Thorne a 193, Brett Jackson a 191, Will Espey a 190 and Peyton Turner a 178 for Coach Kenny Herndon's Claybusters. All of the shooters and Coach Herndon hail from Huntingdon.

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation also recognized the high school affiliated teams in trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Winning their second High School Team Trap Championship in three years was the Arlington High Trappers with a score of 969 of 1,000. The team includes Coach Kermit Simons of Arlington and athletes Ethan Kish of Arlington (199), Jarrett Spegele of Bartlett (192), Cody Magness of Bartlett (194), Conrad Lewis of Arlington (194), and Cody Cardile of Arlington (190).

Taking second in Varsity Division Trap was the Henry County No Fly-Zone with a 978 of 1,000, led by Blake Triplett of Puryear's perfect score of 200. The team includes Coach Hansel McAdams of Paris, Dakota Lemonds of McKenzie (192), Hunter Loudon of Springville (194), Holly Hodge of Paris (195), and Dillon Beloate of Puryear (197).

In addition to the awards presented by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation at the SCTP National Championships, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program presented the Rudy Cup for the best overall performance to Puryear's Triplett. The Rudy Cup is presented to the Tennessee athlete that shoots the highest score at the national championship. This is Triplett's second consecutive year winning the award.

The Hoodlum Alley Claybusters of Shelbyville took second place in the Rookie Division Trap with a score of 874. Coach Jim Bean of Shelbyville's team includes Logan Landers of Shelbyville (187), Jay Wilkerson of Shelbyville (181), Eli Miller of Wartrace (173), Jackson Wilkerson (178), and Chiondreus Ewing of Shelbyville (155).

Taking third in the Intermediate Advanced Division Trap was Middle Tennessee Christian School of Murfreesboro with a 927 of 1,000. The team includes Coach Rob Mathis of Murfreesboro and shooters Taylor Bolin of Murfreesboro (192), Sam Mathis of Milton (189), Buford Throneberry of Murfreesboro (177), Brad Black of Lascassas (185), and Hunter Vaughn of Lavergne (184).

Clarksville High School finished third in the High School Team Trap Championship with a score of 953 of 1,000. Coach Bruce McGaha of Clarksville's team included Dillon Barnes of Clarksville (195), Chance Wilson of Clarksville (189), Eric Tschida of Clarksville (190), Michael Zimmerman of Clarksville (191), and Jarrett McGaha of Clarksville (188).

The Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program is a program of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, with vital partner support from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The program was began in 2001 and provides Tennessee's youth, grades 5-12, an opportunity to compete in clay target shooting competitions with their peers from across the state. The program strives to teach youth the importance of safe firearms handling, academic excellence, personal responsibility, leadership, and teamwork, as well as to promote healthy competition and introduce them into an outdoor lifestyle. For more information, visit www.tnsctp.org or contact Chad Whittenburg at (615) 353-1133.