West Point’s Pathway to Victory
The U.S. Military Academy Skeet & Trap Team proved that if there were Commander in Chief’s Trophy for shotgun sports, it would be safely secured at West Point’s Range 10 after a dominating its sister academies (Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines) on March 26 at Clove Spring Range in New Jersey. This year’s matchup, hosted by the Merchant Marine Academy, was the first time all five federal service academies have met to compete against one another.
For the first time in over 20 years, all five service academies went head-to-head for team and individual honors. Sixty shooters participated in the 50-skeet/ 50-trap target event, with the top four shooters from each academy being counted for their team’s aggregate score.
When the last target was broken, West Point took first place with an impressive team score of 369/400. The Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine teams tied for second with a 327/400, with the Coast Guard winning the tiebreaker shoot-off to secure second place. The Navy placed fourth, with Air Force a few targets behind. Head coach Col. Carl Wojtaszek was pleased with the team’s performance, stating, “it is often difficult to know where each academy’s shooting program stands at any time because most of our competitions are regional.
“Today’s event demonstrates how good our cadets and our program has become, thanks to the support of alumni and sponsors of the team. We are tremendously fortunate,” Wojtaszek said.
The Army’s individual efforts were led by the high-competition shooter Marshall Wemmer ’23. The Odessa, Texas native shot an impressive 98/100 and missed a single bird in each discipline.
“I’m going to run a 100 before I graduate. If I have to be out there on the night of May 26th, I will be,” said Wemmer.
Wemmer was followed in the leaderboard by Mt. Juliet, Tennesse native River Park ’24, who put up a very solid 94. Though the score is nothing to scoff at, Park expressed frustration over the small mistakes made in the competition.
“I’m so darn close to breaking through the 95 plus barrier. My shooting has been very consistent recently, but I need to find what will give that next one percent on the pad,” Park said.
The third and fourth podiumed scores were shot by Will Domler ’24 and Hunter Smyth ’24 with an 89 and 88, respectively. Both shooters have been relied upon heavily this season and show great promise for improvement coming into their firstie year.
Class of 2025 Cadet Pearce Hall’s take on the experience
The historic inaugural meeting of all the academies was an honor to participate in and a pleasure to win. Victory over the other academies is every cadet’s Mount Everest, regardless of sport. Such a matchup is a milestone for cadets and a cherished memory for graduates.
If one looks past the bitter rivalry on the field, one can see a sight that fills the heart of any patriot. More than college athletes, each competitor is bound by their commitment to service by way of land, air, or sea. The competition also allows cadets and midshipmen of mutual interest to converse, compare academy experiences, and foster their passion for a lifelong pastime.
The All-Academy Shoot is the final major competition for the West Point Skeet & Trap Team in the 2023 academic year. It is the perfect cap on a season with a 3rd place national finish in the Division II NCAA and an overwhelming number of victories against colleges and gun clubs along the east coast.