WILLISTON, N.D. – The Williston State College (WSC) Teton Clay Target Team secured an impressive third place at the USA Clay Target League College Nationals, held November 2-3, 2024, in Bunker Hill, Illinois. Competing against 16 teams, including top four-year and community college programs, the Tetons demonstrated skill, focus, and resilience over two days of competition, finishing with a total score of 940. Lake Land College (Mattoon, Illinois) claimed second place with a score of 961, while Lindenwood University (Missouri) took first with a final score of 965. Lindenwood, a 17-time National Champion, is renowned for its powerhouse program.
 
Leading the charge for the Tetons, McKayla Stiyer and Neil Dahl both shot an impressive 190 out of 200, while Jace Moe and Dylan Hoglund followed closely with scores of 187. Adler Engh rounded out the top five with a score of 186. Stiyer and Isaac Haugen each achieved a perfect 50 out of 50 on Sunday, with Adler Engh and Carter Ruffie also posting flawless rounds of 25 out of 25, giving the Tetons a strong finish on the final day.
 
In individual standings, Stiyer placed 20th out of 200 athletes, followed by Dahl in 21st, Moe in 36th, Hoglund in 41st, and Engh in 43rd, underscoring the depth of talent on the WSC squad. Additional team members included Nolan Dahl, Carter Ruffie, Isaac Haugen, Samantha Lindquist, Reece Engleman, Josh Rodriguez, Zach Curren, Bailey Hokanson, Kellen Hodnefield, and Ethan Gaga, all of whom contributed to the team's success throughout the season.
 
"This was a great group of athletes who represented WSC with determination and class," said Penny Slagle, WSC Clay Target Head Coach. "Not only are they talented shooters, but they're also remarkable young people who've worked incredibly hard. We are proud of each one of them."
 
A special thank you goes out to the team's dedicated coaches and supporters, including Coach Tyler Hess, Coach Robert Blanton, Coach Penny Lee Slagle, and the team's amazing manager, Tara Blanton, for their countless volunteer hours. Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in guiding the team to Nationals.

 
 
The Teton Clay Target Team also participated in the MCAC Conference Tournament in Alexandria, Minnesota, in October, where they secured a fifth-place finish among 17 schools from North Dakota and Minnesota. High individual scorers in the MCAC included Neil Dahl (8th overall with 97/100), Carter Ruffie (19th with 95/100), and McKayla Stiyer (38th with 93/100). Notable performances in other divisions saw Josh Rodriguez take 2nd place in Junior Varsity, and Bailey Hokanson earned 2nd place in Junior Varsity's top female division.
 
The entire WSC community extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the Teton Clay Target Team on their journey to Nationals. Your generosity made this incredible season possible, fueling the team's success and allowing these talented athletes to showcase their skills on a national stage. We can't wait to see what the future holds for our Tetons, and we look forward to cheering them on to even greater accomplishments!