Warriors Open Season, Place Third at FHSU Shoot

HAYS, Kan. – Midland University opened its season over the weekend at the FHSU Tiger 450, hosted by Fort Hays State University. In the HOA standings, the Warriors finished third out of 12 teams with a score of 2,046 out of 2,250 targets. Fort Hays State won the event with 2,074, while Iowa Western Community College was second at 2,060.

In double skeet, Midland placed second, led by Audric Scheidel and Jayce Namuth, who each hit 49 of 50 targets. The Warriors finished third in trap with 491 of 500 targets, highlighted by 99s from Brayden Bliss and Jake Ruel.

Midland claimed first place in double trap with 481 of 500 targets. Gil Palmer led the way with 98. The Warriors finished fourth in sporting clays with a score of 439, as Atley Painter paced the team with a 90.

In super sporting clays, Midland earned second place with 462 of 500 targets.

Individually, Palmer was the top shooter in men's double trap with 98. Lacy Gangwish won the women's double trap with 94. Scheidel finished ninth overall in HOA at 411, while Makayla Blashill placed fifth in women's HOA with 392.

"It was a quick turnaround for us to get ready for this shoot," said Midland head coach Jacob McThenia. "Two weeks to work together as a team to get into a shoot like Fort Hays isn't ideal, but we had to make it work. We had a good mix of young shooters and older shooters travel with us. We didn't have the most outstanding outing right out of the gate. We left targets out there in areas we shouldn't have. Thankfully, it's early, and I feel we still have plenty of work to do as a group."

Midland will return to action Sept. 19-21 when it hosts the Warrior Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska.