Four U.S. Olympic Team Slots to be Determined in Tucson
OutdoorHub 05.02.12
The nation’s best shotgun competitors will put years of hard work and training on the line May 17-20 in hopes of earning the right to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun are coming to the Tucson Trap & Skeet Club (TTSC) outside Tucson, Ariz., and securing one of the four Olympic spots available will be as intense as the desert heat.
The Trials will feature action in all of shotgun’s respective disciplines including Trap (M/W), Skeet (M/W) and Men’s Double Trap. However, Olympic spots will only be available in women’s trap (1), men’s skeet (2) and men’s double trap (1).
The U.S. was unable to qualify for a men’s trap selection in London while the women’s skeet quota was secured long ago by Kim Rhode (El Monte, Calif.), a four-time Olympic medalist, who was the first U.S. athlete nominated to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team by virtue of the points she had earned in World Cup and World Championship events. Also earning the distinction of not having to compete at the upcoming Trials is Josh Richmond (USAMU/Hillsgrove, Pa.), who secured an Olympic nomination following his 2010 World Championships title in Men’s Double Trap.
Many of the competitors expected to participate will be familiar with the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club after competing there during the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup event March 25-31. The U.S. Team led all participating nations in winning five medals, including three gold.
The right to earn a coveted Olympic Team selection will draw the sport’s best and USA Shooting’s National Team Coach for Shotgun, Bret Erickson, a four-time Olympian in his own right, doesn’t expect the race for London to be determined until the last targets are thrown.
“The depth and abilities being showcased by this crop of shooters will make for some exciting displays of marksmanship,” Erickson acknowledges. “In order for an athlete to make the team, they’re going to have to demonstrate grit, determination, precision and focus on every single shot.”
Five Beijing Olympians will be competing in the Trials including: Men’s Skeet Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock (USAMU/Eatonton, Ga.); Sean McClelland (Mission, Texas), a skeet shooter who finished 11th in Beijing; Corey Cogdell (Eagle River, Alaska), a women’s trap bronze medalist from Beijing; Double Trap gold medalist Glenn Eller (USAMU/Katy, Texas) and Jeff Holguin (USAMU/Yorba Linda, Calif.), a fourth-place finisher in Men’s Double Trap.
USA Shooting will preview each of the disciplines in lead-up to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun over the next 10 days starting with Men’s Double Trap on Thursday, May 3. We’ll unveil the Skeet preview on Thursday, May 3, followed by the Trap outlook on Thursday, May 10.
2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun Competition Schedule:
Thursday, May 17 – Official Training (all disciplines)
Friday, May 18 – Trap & Skeet (100 Targets), Double Trap (150 Targets)
Saturday, May 19 – Trap & Skeet (100 Targets), Double Trap (150 Targets + FINAL)
Sunday, May 20 – Trap & Skeet (50 Targets + FINAL)
