Leif Anderson aims down the range at the Charger Classic. Courtesy| Hillsdale College Athletics Department
The Hillsdale Charger Classic hosted 61 athletes for a charity shotgun competition on Aug. 26, and raised about $3,000 during the first fundraiser of the season for the college shotgun team.
The eighth annual National Sporting Clays Association tournament donated all proceeds toward the travel and admission fees of the shotgun team. Equipment for the tournament included 100 target sporting clays, 50 target super sporting, and 50 target five-stand competitions all raised money, with entry fees ranging between $35 to $70.
“The Halter Center is probably in the top five in the world as far as facilities go — it’s incredibly beneficial,” assistant coach Caitlin Royer said. “For the Hillsdale students on the shotgun team, this is their home range. This is their backyard for sure, and I think it’s definitely exciting for them.”
For many of the Hillsdale athletes, it served as a practice competition before the start of the season.
“I have been making some changes with my mechanics, and this was the first competition I was able to use them in,” junior Josh Corbin said. “I always strive to shoot my best, but there wasn’t a lot on the line, so I wasn’t too worried about my outcome.”
The Charger Classic was the first event that included the entire team, and it was also the first travel fundraiser. The Island Lake Grand Prix, held Aug. 20, took place during freshman convocation, preventing the new athletes from joining the competition.
“I think having more members on the team is definitely going to be lots of fun, and very beneficial for the competition side of things,” Royer said. “We have a lot of new team members with different styles and areas of expertise in certain games.”
Madeline Corbin is one of three freshmen to join the team, but the first with a family connection. She said she was excited to join her brother in future competitions.
“I tried not to let Josh play into my decision to come here,” Madeline said. “I’m in love with the campus. I love all my classes. I love the core curriculum and everything Hillsdale stands for, and in my opinion it has the best shotgun team, so you’re not going to turn that down. He’s been a great older brother as far as just covering things.”
Madeline said the difference between collegiate and high school competition comes down to how serious the athletes are.
“I feel like everybody on the collegiate team is a little more confident in themselves and can be more helpful for others,” Madeline said. “Say if you’re struggling, they’re more likely to speak up and give advice. Whereas I feel like the high school team relied on coaches a lot more for help.”
Madeline said she decided to shoot competitively alongside her brother the summer after sixth grade, after growing tired of being on the sidelines for years.
“So many kids that shoot don’t play other sports,” Madeline said. “It’s a great opportunity. You can take it as far as you want to. You can even go to the Olympics if you want.”
Multiple athletes scored highest overall in their respective divisions and even placed in multiple disciplines.
Josh Corbin placed highest overall in sporting clays, as well as first in the junior competition. Senior William Stuart earned second highest overall in sporting clays. Sophomore Jordan Sapp placed third highest overall in sporting clays, and junior Gavin Drill earned second in the junior B division of five-stand.
Madeline earned a second place position in both the AA and ladies divisions. Senior Ida Brown placed first in the A division, and third in the ladies division. Senior Jessica Strasser placed first in the ladies division of t-B3 sporting, sophomore Sophia Bultema placed first in the E division, and freshman Ava Downs earned first in the ladies division of five-stand.
The Chargers’ next tournament is the NSCA Great Lakes Championship on the weekend of Sept. 9 at the Grand Blanc Huntsman’s Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
