TUCSON, Ariz. – A trio of Bulldogs from the Concordia University Shooting Sports program entered competition on the national stage at the 2023 Spring Selection Match sponsored by USA Shooting this past week (Feb. 5-8). Sam Blevins, Jack Nelson and Haley Schmutzer entered the field of shooters in Tucson, Ariz., where 82 men and 40 women convened. Most notably, Blevins placed eighth overall at an event that helps determine World Cup participants. One selection match apiece is held in the fall and spring.
This event was separate from the official collegiate season for Bulldog Shooting Sports. Head Coach Dylan Owens’ squad last competed at the NCSSAA North Central Qualifier in early November.
A junior from La Grange, Ky., Blevins cracked 221 out of 250 targets in Tucson. That total made Blevins a third-place bronze medalist in the category of M21 (men under 21) at the selection event. He missed making the shoot off by two targets. Meanwhile, Nelson (Kimberly, Idaho) shot 210/250 and placed 21st and Schmutzer (Waterford, Wis.) shot 155/250 and placed 38th among women. Nelson received a bronze medal for collegiate men's trap.
The collegiate season will resume March 4-5 with the Doane Tiger Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. That event will lead Concordia into the NCSSAA National Championships in the middle of March.