SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of Tennessee Southern clay target squad needed a exemplary performance in the final day to defend their ACUI National Championship.

UTS needed a 407/500 in the final event to successfully defend the championship. The Firehawks cemented their second consecutive championship banner posting a 450/500 in the Sporting Clays event.

"The only thing better than ending a legacy is starting a new chapter with a National Title," said Coach Chad Whittenburg. "The resilience of this team is unprecedented. In particular this graduating class saw many challenges throughout their career including the pandemic and a change in universities. Through it all, they will end this chapter as the team's first ACUI back-to-back National Champions. I couldn't be prouder to be their coach."

Out of nearly 1000 overall competitors UTSouthern had Austin Carleton in 10th place for the men's HOA. He will be named NRA First Team All-American. Carleton also claimed an individual National Title tying for high score in Super Sporting with a 96 out of 100 and then winning his shoot off with a perfect 20/20. Graduating senior, Eli Christman, ends his collegiate career claiming his second individual National Title in American Skeet with a perfect 100/100 (his first being his Freshman year). He clenched his victory by shooting another 78 straight in the shoot off. Christman also finishes 19th overall alongside Junior, Steven Brown in 17th which will earn them both 2nd Team All-American honors. The teams highest placing female athlete was Eden Samson who finished 10th out of over 200 women.

COMBINED EVENT PLACEMENT

Combined Sporting Event, Men's: Austin Carleton took 2nd place with a 187

Combined Sporting Event, Women's: Eden Samson placed 9th with a 161

Combined Skeet Event, Men's: Eli Christman finished in 10th place with a 196

"This year was completely different from last year. We shot good, not great, each day. This helped us tremendously by staying consistent on the days the other teams struggled. Personally I did not perform to the best of my abilities by any means but that's why there are 19 others competing beside me. This is a TEAM sport. This being  my last competition as a Firehawk, I hope the momentum carries on for the future competitions to come.".  - Brantley Whitwell

"I'm very proud to have been apart of this team during my time at UTS. Being a part of the schools first back-to-back national championship is priceless. The friends and memories gained from this team are irreplaceable." - Eli Christman

FIREHAWK SCORECARD

• American Skeet – 489
  • Eli Christman – 100
  • Ian Hirsch – 98
  • Steven Brown – 97
  • Austin Carleton – 97
  • Brantley Whitwell – 87
• American Trap – 486
  • Nathan Brandmeyer – 99
  • Daylon Mahn – 98
  • Wesley Beaver – 97
  • Caleb Clayton – 96
  • Lonnie Dillard III – 96
• Sporting Clays – 450
  • Austin Carleton – 91
  • Ian Hirsch – 90
  • Eli Christman – 90
  • Steven Brown – 90
  • Justin Reed – 89
• Super Sporting – 461
  • Austin Carleton – 96
  • Seth Ratliff – 94
  • Lonnie Dillard III – 93
  • Ian Hirsch – 89
  • Nathan Brandmeyer – 89
• Doubles American Skeet – 476
  • Austin Carleton – 97
  • Steven Brown – 96
  • Eli Christman – 96
  • Brantley Whitwell – 95
  • Sara Ratliff – 92
• Doubles American Trap – 470
  • Wesley Beaver – 97
  • Steven Brown – 95
  • Nathan Brandmeyer – 95
  • Caleb Clayton – 92
  • Eli Christman – 91

FINAL STANDINGS

1.   Tennessee Southern – 2832

2.   Emmanuel College – 2795

3.   Fort Hayes State – 2788

4.   Rams Clay Target – 2784

5.   Concordia – 2774

6.   Hillsdale College – 2767

7.   Midland University – 2731

8.   Jacksonville University – 2703

9.   University of the Ozarks – 2698

10. University of Alabama – 2692

11. Clemson University – 2684

12. Tech Trap and Skeet – 2495

13. Tarleton State University –2474

14. University of Wyoming – 2450

15. Eastern Oregon University – 2421

16. Colorado State University – 2392

17. Northwest Tech – 2306