Austen Smith Wins Her First Olympic Medal: Bronze in Women’s Skeet

By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Supervisor

CHATEAUROUX, France (Aug. 3, 2024) –Austen Smith, of Keller, Texas, earns bronze in Girls’s Skeet on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games on the Chateauroux Capturing Rage in France Aug. 4.

Smith is not any stranger to success and the rostrum. She has over 20 worldwide medals and is extraordinarily completely satisfied so as to add an Olympic medal to her assortment.

“I’m elated. I’m over the moon and loving each second of it,” mentioned Smith. “Simply to have an Olympic medal is my dream.”

Smith is coached by four-time Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock. Hancock earned his fourth gold in Males’s Skeet on the Paris Video games Aug. 3.

Smith made her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 the place she positioned tenth general. When requested what modified for her between Tokyo and Paris, she spoke about enhancing her psychological sport.

“I did a whole lot of psychological coaching really,” mentioned Smith, who at the moment attends the College of Texas at Arlington.  “Again then I relied so much on my feelings particularly throughout main matches. I positively targeted extra on that and ensuring I’m considering the suitable issues each single time I step within the station.”

Smith shot an general qualification rating of 122/125. She tied Amber Rutter, of Nice Britian, in {qualifications} after which received a 14 level shoot off, incomes herself the primary bib for the ultimate. Within the ultimate, Smith bested Vanessa Hockova, of Slovakia, who positioned fourth. View official outcomes right here.

Dania Vizzi, of Odessa, Florida, additionally competed in Girls’s Skeet on the Paris Video games. She made her Olympic debut and completed twelfth with a rating of 118/125. View official outcomes right here.

On Aug. 5, the ultimate day for capturing competitors, Combined Workforce Skeet will make it’s Olympic debut on the Paris Video games. USA staff one is Hancock and Smith and USA staff two is Conner Prince and Vizzi.

“Vinny and I are a robust staff, and I’m anticipating nice issues from us,” mentioned Smith. “We wish to deliver residence as many medals as doable for Workforce USA. “

Comply with @USAShooting on Instagram, Fb, and X to remain updated because the staff competes in Paris 2024.

CAPTION: Austen Smith after incomes a bronze Olympic medal Girls’s Skeet on the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games Aug. 4. Photograph by Joshua Schave