Jul 8, 2016 3 min read

Greene County’s Scholastic Clay Target Program team, the Hunting Hills Hawkeyes, brought home 32 awards from the Pennsylvania Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clays Championship June 18 at Buffer Creek in Somerset.

Of the 51 Hawkeyes, 27 of the youth shooters won awards for competing in six skill divisions: rookie, intermediate entry, intermediate advanced, junior varsity, varsity and collegiate.

The event involved 213 youth shooters from across the state, and awards were given to the top three teams in each division, as well as the highest overall and first- through third-place scorers in each division.

Hawkeyes squads took first-place in four divisions, second-place in one division and third-place in three divisions, along with seven individual and two collegiate awards.

Robert Dillon III of Adah, Graham Hill of Morgantown and Cole Jones of Jefferson, took first place in the rookie division. Ivan Pavick of Jefferson and Johnathan Riley of Waynesburg took third place.

In the intermediate entry division, Ethan Wise of Morgantown, Owen Hughes of Rogersville, and Landen Friend of Point Marion won first place.

Hawkeyes squads placed first and second in the intermediate advanced division. The first-place squad consisted of Tristan Cole, Hunter Orrahood and Aaran Hinerman, all of Waynesburg. Finishing in second-place was the squad of Tucker Hughes of Rogersville and Kolby Smith and Thaine Miller, both of Waynesburg.

Kyleigh Kozel of Carmichaels and Abby Ozohonish of Clarksville were top scorers in the division placing first and third for highest overall female shooter.

In the junior varsity division, Cameron Cernuska of Jefferson, Corey John of Holbrook and Noah Haines of Greensboro won third place.

The Hawkeyes squad with Zach Abbott of Rogersville, Randy Durr of Greensboro and Hunter Scott of Carmichaels finished first in the varsity division. Chase Faddis of Carmichaels and Branden Sanders and Walker Smith, both of Waynesburg, placed third.

In the collegiate division, Andrew Buchtan Jr. of Greensboro won third place and Montana Bellis of Dilliner placed third in the women’s category.

Last year, 58 members of the Hawkeyes competed in the state shoot in Harrisburg, with 23 members receiving 18 medals and trophies for their performances.

The Hawkeyes formed in February 2009 as part of a pilot Scholastic Clay Target Program in the county. More than 60 students in grades five through 12 have participated in the program each year.

Greene County Commissioners, Hunting Hills and the Department of Recreation sponsor the local program, with support this year from additional local companies and organizations.