COUNTY CLAY TARGET TEAM TO HOLD REGISTRATION For Release: Dec. 20, 2011 Contact: Elizabeth Menhart, Communications Director/Tourism (724-852-5210)
WAYNESBURG, PA — The Hunting Hills Hawkeyes, Greene County’s Scholastic Clay Target Program team, will hold an open registration for its fourth season from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Hunting Hills in Dilliner, Pa.
The Greene County Department of Recreation will host the sign-ups for students in fifth through 12th grades who are interested in clay target shooting and have the physical, mental and emotional maturity to participate in a team sport. Category levels consist of rookie (grade 5), intermediate entry and intermediate advanced (grades 6-8), and junior varsity and varsity (grades 9-12).
Two safety and training sessions for new team members will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 26, at Hunting Hills. Practice sessions for all members will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 4, and will be held every Sunday through June 10, except on April 8, May 13 and June 3. May 13 may serve as a make-up practice day if needed.
Registration and consent forms must be completed before a student begins practice. Membership and certain other fees may apply. All students are required to bring a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun, semi-automatic or over-and-under, and shells for each practice session.
Head Coach Chuck Mallory and several volunteer coaches will instruct the students on gun handling, mounting, stance, lead and shot and prepare them for the state competition, scheduled for Saturday, June 16. A location has not yet been announced.
This past June, 33 members of the Hawkeyes competed in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clays Championship in Meshoppen, Pa., with 16 members receiving medals for their performances.
The Hawkeyes formed in February 2009 as part of a pilot Scholastic Clay Target Program in the county. More than 40 students in grades five through 12 have participated in the program each year.
The team’s home base of Hunting Hills is owned and operated by Sally and Roy Sisler, who first approached the Greene County Commissioners in 2008 about starting a Scholastic Clay Target Program.
Nationally, the programs are sponsored by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation. Locally, the Greene County Commissioners, Hunting Hills and the Department of Recreation sponsor the program with support from the Friends of the National Rifle Association and Alpha Natural Resources. The program’s mission is to promote and teach young people the fundamentals of gun safety, team work and outdoor sports.
For more information on the Hunting Hills Hawkeyes, call Head Coach Chuck Mallory at 724-998-2967, Coach Randy Coss at 724-627-8666 or the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
