Tuesday in Tillar, Arkansas competition will get underway for four spots on the Olympic team for shotgun athletes in men’s and women’s skeet, men’s double trap, and women’s trap. There has already been one qualification shoot and the scores from that event do carry over to this one.
In men’s skeet Frank Thompson (a 2012 Olympian in the event) and Hayden Stewart enter the second event tied at 242 points with Phillip Jungman two behind at 240. Aaron Wilson and Thomas Bayer at 238 and Dustin Perry at 237 make it six guys within five points. In women’s skeet the competition is a little more cut in dry with 2012 gold medalist Kimberly Rhode at 245 and a five point lead over Amber English. No one else is within 8 points of Rhode.
Men’s double trap has a tight two man-race at the top with 2012 Olympian Josh Richmond at 278 and holding a one point lead over Derek Haldeman. No one else is over 270 points. In women’s trap Janessa Beaman sits at 232 points and a two point lead over 2012 Olympian Corey Cogdell. Ashley Carroll is five points back at 227.
There is also a men’s trap competition but it is not for an Olympic spot. Dustin McGowen has a one point lead with 235 points as Anthony Matarese and Collin Wietfeldt are tied for second. Alex Rennert has 232 points with Christopher Haire only five points back in fifth with 230.
Tuesday competition begins in the skeet events with the first of four days of competition. Double trap begins on Wednesday and will only last two days. Trap begins on Sunday and will also be four days long.