For Release
Young Guns Shine at 2025 Regional WSRC Competition
Sparta, IL—May17-18, 2025
The Lincoln Heritage Pheasants Forever Young Guns delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 SCTP Regionals WSRC Shooting Competition held in Sparta, Illinois, this past weekend, earning numerous team and individual accolades despite challenging weather conditions.
The Young Guns proved their marksmanship with strong placements in skeet, sporting clays, and trap shooting events—including a prestigious 2nd Place High Overall (HOA) Team finish. This top-tier placement came from combining scores in all 3 disciplines and reflects the team’s consistency and discipline under pressure.
Trap Triumphs on Saturday Morning
Quinn Kohler stepped off the windy range from his first 50 rounds and told the coaches “I thought we were supposed to be shooting trap, not sporting clays!” Kohler didn’t let the 19 mph wind gusts stop him from leading the charge in securing 2nd Place Trap Team with a top score of 193, supported by strong performances from Ridge Kile, Matt Coartney, Jacob Fickes, and Jack Cook with a combined score of 916. When Kohler was asked what tactics, he took against the wind he stated, “I changed my hold point and aimed a bit above more than usual.” The Trap Intermediate Division Team of Ridge Kile, Curtis Snider, Tessa Cook, Bryn Overton, and Myles Kaufman brought home 3rd Place with a combined score of 825 in their division.
Skeet Success on Sunday Morning
The senior team of Jacob Fickes, Vincent Will, and Quinn Kohler captured 1st Place with a combined score of 286. Individually, Jacob Fickes took 1st Place Skeet Senior Individual Men with a near-perfect score of 98. Fickes also recorded a perfect straight 50, a rare and impressive feat in the sport. Fickes reflected on his strong performance, saying, “It was good to shoot that high score, but I still want to shoot better at State. This gives me more opportunities to shoot my highest scores, and I hope the work I’ve put in will pay off.” Vincent Will secured 3rd Place Skeet Senior Individual Men and Bryn Overton won 2nd Place Skeet Intermediate Individual Ladies.
Sporting Clays Standouts on Sunday Afternoon
In the Sporting Clays Intermediate Team division, Curtis Snider, Bryn Overton, and Ridge Kile brought home 2nd Place with a team score of 219. The Sporting Clays Senior Team – Quinn Kohler, Vincent Will, and Tate Overton, earned a solid 3rd Place, each posting consistent scores of 81 for a team total of 243. Teammate Briar Price also scored 81, but lost placement by a hair on this team through a reverse run scoring tie breaker. Bryn Overton also excelled individually, winning 1st Place Sporting Clays Intermediate Individual Ladies with a score of 73. She credited her success to recent growth and dedication, saying, “I finally got big enough to shoot a 12 gauge, and I’ve practiced like crazy!” Teammate Tessa Cook joined her on the podium, taking 3rd Place.
With senior leadership and promising younger shooters rising through the ranks, the LHPF Young Guns proved they’re a force to be reckoned with and a team to watch at upcoming competitions.
LHPF Young Guns is a local youth competitive shotgun team specializing in Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays. The team competes in various events throughout the region and practices regularly at the Charleston Sportsman’s Club and Olde Barn Sporting Clays. Young Guns is proud to be part of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), which promotes youth development through team-based clay target shooting.
For more information contact head coaches Scott Gossett 232-9361 or Matt Homann 246-3250.
