Less than a year after its creation, the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Trap Shooting team proved to be right on target, finishing among the nation’s best at the 2026 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championship. 

The team arrived at the national competition, held from July 10 to 18 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio, locked and loaded to compete in the co-ed collegiate American Trap event. 

Each member fired 200 rounds over the course of a two-day competition. The number of successfully shot targets was the shooter’s final score, and the team’s five highest individual scores were combined to determine the final standing. UAM Trap Shooting earned a ninth-place finish, landing them among the top ten of more than 70 collegiate teams.

In addition to the American Trap competition, one team member participated in the Super Sporting Clays event, which the team plans to incorporate into next year’s practice schedule.

Chief John Kidwell, director of the University Police Department at UAM and team sponsor of UAM Trap Shooting, praised the students for what they accomplished during the program’s first season. “I’m really proud of them,” Chief Kidwell said. “I’m proud of how well they did, but I’m just proud of what a good group of students they are.” Chief Kidwell anticipates even more success next season, as more students join the team in the coming semesters.

Brody Little, a freshman from El Dorado, was the team’s top finisher, hitting 180 out of 200 targets. Looking back on his experience, he said, “Being part of UAM Trap Shooting has provided a way for me to meet new people and take part in a university organization while competing in a sport that I love. I’m thankful to Chief Kidwell for starting this program and for the positive experiences and scholarship it provides. Shooting at the national level was such a great experience, and we were happy with our results for our first year, even though it left room for growth.”

Missy Gunnels, a senior from Magnolia, had the second-highest score for the team, hitting 179 out of 200 targets. “Shooting with UAM has been a great honor,” Gunnels said. “Competing at the 2026 SCTP National Championship was an experience I’ll never forget. Being part of UAM’s first trap shooting team and finishing in the top ten nationally showed me how much hard work, dedication and teamwork can accomplish. I’m incredibly grateful for my teammates and coaches, and I’m proud to have helped represent UAM at nationals.”

Eight members of UAM Trap Shooting attended the championship. In addition to Little and Gunnels, scores made by Ace Patrick from Rison, Sarah Forrest from Warren and Bethany Fancher from Hamburg counted towards the team’s ninth-place finish. UAM was also represented by Chloe Hargis from Rison, Christina Heredia-Jimenez from Dermott and James Sims from Monticello. 

The accomplishment at nationals capped an impressive inaugural season for the program, which was established in fall 2025 as part of UAM’s broader initiative to diversify its extracurricular activities and provide students with unique opportunities that encourage personal development, foster a sense of community and cultivate valuable life skills that extend beyond the classroom. 

Building a competitive trap shooting team from scratch came with its fair share of challenges. Students had to have an accommodating schedule for mandatory practices at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Warren Shooting Sports Complex. The team also had to learn where to find appropriate supplies, ammunition and competitions in which to compete. Despite the challenges, as the season progressed, team members steadily gained experience and confidence, translating hard work into success on the range. 

In February 2026, the team qualified for nationals based on their performance at the 2026 SCTP South Central Regional tournament. It was the team’s first-ever competition, and they swept the podium in the female collegiate division and placed first and second in the male collegiate division. The team followed that performance with the “Clays for a Cause” Trap Shoot Fundraiser in March, where they took the top prize in the female division.

Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, congratulated the team on their incredible performance on the national stage, stating, “UAM Trap Shooting finishing among the top ten teams in the nation is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, discipline and perseverance of our student-athletes and coaches. Success like this inspires future students to see what is possible for themselves at UAM, and there is no doubt it will attract talented shooters who want to compete at the highest level while earning a quality education. We are grateful to Chief John Kidwell and his committed coaching staff for their mentorship and encouragement of this team. We look forward to next season and the opportunities it promises for our incredibly talented student-athletes.”

There are currently 11 students on the team, six women and five men, from UAM, the UAM College of Technology-Crossett and the UAM College of Technology-McGehee. Students from all majors across the three campuses are welcome to join.

UAM Trap Shooting is made possible through UAM’s partnership with the AGFC Warren Shooting Sports Complex, which provides a quality venue for weekly practices. The team is funded, in part, by the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education Program (CFDA# 15.611) (Grant # F25AF01373) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, through an agreement with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

For more information about UAM Trap Shooting, contact Chief John Kidwell at kidwell@uamont.edu or 870-460-1183.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 at 12:45 am and is filed under UAM News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.