Alex Michael McHale of Mount Pleasant and the Clemson University Shotgun Club Team Win Southeast Championship

2013 Mar 13

Alex Michael McHale of Mount Pleasant and the Clemson University shotgun club outshot competitors from eight other universities to win the Southeastern Invitational Collegiate Championship for the fourth straight time.

McHale, a Junior majoring in History, came in fourth in wobble trap.

Clemson's team knocked down 940 clays and beat second-place Embry-Riddle by 93 clays.

"We had some shooters who hadn't shot in pressure situations," said Rick Willey, shotgun club coach and Clemson University Extension 4-H natural resource specialist. "But they rose to the challenge and will give us added depth and momentum as we head to San Antonio later this month for the national championships."

Eighty-two shooters competed in the event, which was hosted by Jacksonville University and held at the Jacksonville Skeet and Trap Gun Club.

The club now heads to San Antonio March 26–31 for the 2013 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target Championships where the students hope to defend and improve upon the four national championships the club won in 2012.

The club's trip to San Antonio will be funded in part by a $3,000 donation from the South Carolina Arms Collectors Association (SCACA).

"We are very grateful to the SCACA for their donation," Willey said. "We originally approached them about sponsoring one shooter. They are very generously sponsoring three."

The club will bring 13 shooters to San Antonio.

The Clemson University Shotgun Club is supported by the School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences (SAFES) and practices at the Pickens Bend range, which is made available for its use by Clemson's parks, recreation and tourism management department.

Ranked No. 25 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success. Clemson is an inclusive, student-centered community characterized by high academic standards, a culture of collaboration, school spirit, and a competitive drive to excel.