Shooter right on mark at nationals
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – Local sharpshooter Brett Hoeppner proved last week that he is one of the best shots in the West–and the nation.

Hoeppner, a local 14‑year‑old student, was part of the Ben Avery Clay Crushers junior novice team that won the skeet competition last week. The national championship event was held in Rochester, NY.

The Clay Crushers, which also include Lane Shank, 14, and Wes Borie, 13, of Phoenix, blasted 561 targets out of a possible 600 during the two‑day tournament at the Rochester Brooks International Trap and Skeet Club. The boys beat a team from Virginia, which finished with 550.

The Crushers were behind by one point after Day 1 but they rallied to win the championship in the final day when Hoeppner hit 96 out of 100 targets. Borie and Shank scored 95 and 94,   respectively.

“They performed very well the first day and even better the second day,” Ben Avery coach Sally Borie said.

The team also took second place in the sporting clays event, finishing only four targets from first place.

“They had personal goals and they exceeded them,” Borie said. “They really work well together and as a team. And, most importantly, they had fun.”

The Clay Crushers were awarded a team trophy that will be displayed at the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

In addition, each shooter was presented a trophy, a championship belt buckle, a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond for skeet and a $250 U.S. Savings Bond for sporting clays.

“We’re very proud of the way our kids performed,” said  Anthony Chavez, shooting sports coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Some of these youngsters have made real strides in competitive shooting. They had a lot of fun and turned in a great showing.”

More than 8,000 students from the United States competed in state tournaments to qualify for nationals. Because Hoeppner, Shank and Borie are also part of the five‑man Arizona state championship trap team, they will join teammates Chase Karvanek from Anthem and Luke McCabe of Phoenix next week in the SCTP Trap Nationals.

The tournament is slated to be held on Aug. 8‑9 at the $29 million World Shooting Complex in Sparta, Ill.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.