Vincent
Hancock Mar. 19, 2005
FORT BENNING, Ga. -- In an event that has been dominated for years by veteran Army and Air Force shooters, 16-year-old Vincent Hancock put forth a great performance Saturday and walked away the winner of the Spring Selection Match in men’s skeet at Hook Range in Fort Benning.
Last fall, Hancock (Eatonville, Ga.) became the youngest USA Shooting Men’s Skeet Champion in the history of this event. Today, which also happens to be his 16th birthday, he followed it up with the sweetest present he could think of—another first place trophy.
So what’ s his secret? How can this 16-year-old beat multiple Olympian’s who have been shooting longer than he’s been walking?
“I just have been practicing a lot,” Hancock says. “And most importantly, I have a great coach.”
In fact, since Hancock’s father bought the shooting range that he coaches his son on, Vincent has emerged as the man to beat in international skeet.
Sgt. First Class, Todd Graves, of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), found himself a runner-up to the young Hancock by the margin of five targets. Graves hit a 504, whereas Hancock hit a 509. Mark Weeks, also of the USAMU, found himself in third with a 500, while 2004 Olympian Sgt. First Class Shawn Dulohery finished in fourth with a total score of 495.
Needless to say, Hancock had no trouble running away with the junior men’s skeet competition. He finished the match by shooting 25-straight in the finals, gaining a 14-point lead on new National Development Team member Mark Muzyka.
On the women’s side, Haley Dunn (Eddyville, Iowa) finished out her round with a 471 for first place. Two-time Olympian Connie Smotek, clinched second with a 467, while 2004 National Champion Brandie Neal finished in third with a 463.
“It is a good thing to know you have such a strong group of competitors that can come out on any day and give you a run for your money,” Smotek said. “I am very proud of Neal and Dunn. They keep pushing me and pushing each other. That kind of competition is good for our scores, and is good for the sport.”
The 2005 Spring Selection Match is the second of two shotgun matches held to determine who will be going to the 2005 World Clay Target Championships in Lonato, Italy and the Championship of the Americas in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
For more information on USA Shooting’s Spring Selection Match, please contact Sara Greenlee at 719-310-2606 or by email at sara.greenlee@usashooting.org.
Men’s Skeet Final Results
1.Vincent Hancock, 509; 2. Todd Graves, 504; 3. Mark Weeks, 500; 4. Shawn Dulohery, 495; 5. Mark Muzyka, 495; 6. Kent Vail, 491.
Women’s Skeet Final Results
1. Haley Dunn, 471; 2. Connie Smotek, 467; 3. Brandie Neal, 463; 4. Emily Blount, 431; 5. Nivea Jones, 422; 6. Sally Coggins, 387.
For full results, please log on to www.usashooting.org