WSU Shooting Sports Team serves notice
The Shocker shooters invited Lindenwood University, Division I collegiate national champions from 2002-14, as well as the 2013-14 Division II collegiate national championship team from Fort Hays State University. Lindenwood brought 30 student-athletes, or six teams. FHSU entered three teams, and WSU entered two full teams and a total of 13 student-athletes. All told, there were 20 teams from 11 universities. Competition was in skeet shooting, trapshooting and sporting clays.
In conjunction with the Shocker Fall Classic, held Sept. 6-7 at the Ark Valley Gun Club and Shady Creek Sporting Clays, the WSU Shooting Sports Team raised funds that were donated to Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. in support of their efforts to get more children outdoors hunting, fishing and shooting.
Tom Binyon, WSU Shooting Sports Team head coach, said: "There is a common thread that binds WSU, the WSU Shooting Sports Team and the kids at Pass It On -- Outdoor Mentors. First and foremost, it's all about getting a quality education. If the shooting sports program at Wichita State can serve as a catalyst for just one young person deciding to attend college that otherwise might have chosen another path, then it is all worthwhile. The WSU student-athletes serve as role models to the kids in the Pass It On program. Our financial contribution, along with our commitment to continue to partner with Pass It On -- Outdoor Mentors, will hopefully make a meaningful difference in the lives of the young people."
The highlight of the weekend was the WSU-Gold team taking fourth place in the trapshooting event. Lindenwood teams finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Out of the 500-target event, only 12 targets separated the Shockers from 1st place. That's quite an accomplishment considering the WSU team only started shooting one year ago.
"Top to bottom, our kids shot very well. I couldn't be more proud," said Tom Binyon, head shooting coach. For complete results, go to http://www.winscoreonline.com under Tournament Results and look for Shocker Fall Classic.
More information about the WSU Shooting Sports Team can be found at http://www.wichita.edu/sst. Pictures of the WSU team at the Shocker Fall Classic can be found on their Facebook page, which can be accessed from their website.