By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Supervisor
HILLSDALE, MI (July 1, 2025) – Following two thrilling finals, Madalynn Schroder and Grant Hernandez topped the rostrum on the 2025 USA Taking pictures Skeet Junior Olympic Championships, held June 29 in Hillsdale, Michigan.
Junior athletes from throughout the nation got here to shoot on the annual competitors, hosted by Hillsdale Faculty on the John A. Halter Taking pictures Sports activities Middle. After 125 qualification targets, each males’s and ladies’s finals had been held.
Schroder, of Pella, Iowa, topped the rostrum by outshooting Madison Smith, who claimed silver, and Kaitlyn Scanlon, who claimed bronze.
“The ultimate was wonderful,” stated Schroder. “I’m actually stunned, completely happy, and pleased with myself that I pulled it via all the best way till the tip.”
Schroder has been taking pictures worldwide skeet for 3 years and is coached by Olympian Phillip Jungman. Previous to taking on the worldwide self-discipline, Schroder began out with the Scholastic Clay Goal Program (SCTP) within the fifth grade. Schroder’s expertise is clear, having made the SCTP Worldwide Crew the previous two years and now aiming for a spot on the 2025 group at subsequent month’s SCTP Nationals.
Hernandez, of Eaton, Colorado, certified for the lads’s closing by taking pictures a qualification rating of 113 out of 125. He earned his championship title by outshooting Westley Kiter, who completed second, and Dustin Wooden, who completed third.
Hernandez’s victory is particularly significant as his efficiency on the 2024 Junior Olympic Championships was not what he had hoped for. He talked about that he had a tricky match final 12 months however was in a position to make use of it as a studying alternative.
“I believe it simply exhibits that something can occur,” stated Hernandez when requested about his 2025 victory. “I’ve put in a variety of arduous work since then, however it means lots.”
Hernandez shoots on the Pawnee Sportsmens Middle in Colorado and can be coached by Jungman. Jungman coaches a handful of junior skeet athletes together with Hernandez, Schroder, Wooden, and Aidan Tucker, all of whom made finals appearances and medaled in both the open or U18 class.
“I completely love teaching this group of juniors,” stated Jungman, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian. “They may have chosen anybody on this planet to be their coach. I’m deeply honored to be that particular person. These children have labored arduous and spent many hours on the vary to make this occur. That is solely the start of their success story. I’m completely happy to have the ability to share my expertise with them and assist them accomplish their goals.”
Tucker and Hunter Engholm each shot their first excellent rating in a spherical with 25 hits on 25 targets. This marked the primary time the duo shot an ideal spherical rating at a contest, an essential accomplishment in a shooter’s profession.
The Junior Olympic Championships additionally served as a range match for the Junior Olympic (JO) Squad. The skeet squad was chosen based mostly on the highest finishers from the finals who aren’t already on the USA Taking pictures Junior Nationwide Crew. Hernandez, Wooden, and Schroder all earned a spot on the JO squad. The JO squad will obtain a customized Shoot the Moon vest, ammunition, and a free entry to the subsequent USA Taking pictures choice match.
Medals had been additionally awarded in U18 and U15 classes. See all outcomes from the 2025 competitors right here. See pictures from the competitors right here.
USA Taking pictures thanks Hillsdale Faculty for internet hosting the competitors and for his or her continued assist of the taking pictures sports activities pipeline nationwide. AXIL generously contributed podium prizes to acknowledge and reward excellent athlete performances.
USA Taking pictures extends a particular because of our sponsors and companions together with The NRA Basis, Hillsdale Faculty, The Worldwide Order of T. Roosevelt, The Hal & Jean Glassen Basis, Safari Membership Worldwide, MidwayUSA Basis, Shoot the Moon, and Axil.
