Shotgun team sharpening focus on ACUI National Championship repeat

Claiming its first ACUI Clay Target National Championship at the Division 3 level last March at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, following back-to-back years in which it finished runner-up, Liberty University's shotgun team carries plenty of momentum into this season.

"Last year was definitely big for us, winning the national championship," senior Zack Reaves said. "I was definitely impressed with everybody's performance there and we really didn't lose a whole lot (of talent) coming into this year."

Liberty first-year Head Coach Jacob Davis, who moved up from an assistant coaching role over the summer, said the gold medal has been helpful in the team's recruiting efforts.
"A lot of people in the shotgun world have known the name Liberty University more so than they ever did before, and a lot of young shooters now are reaching out and asking about the team," Davis said.

"Thankfully, with recruitment, we've been able to gain a number of good state champions from all over the country who are here now and they're absolutely showing everything that they can do," Reaves added.

Jacob-Davis-Liberty-Shotgun-Coach — In his first season as head coach, Jacob Davis has the program firing on all cylinders.

Flames sophomore Nathan Hagy credited Davis for keeping the shooters in line and raising their sights on the upcoming season.

"Coach Jacob is doing absolutely awesome," he said. "He was our assistant coach for a while and when I showed up last year. Now that he's stepped into the head coach role, he's doing a great job and has really shown his worth. He has organized it perfectly and it has been a smooth year so far."

Reaves said a national title defense is definitely within the team's collective sights as it focuses on the upcoming season, which will be highlighted by the Feb. 9-11 Lower East Coast Conference Championships in Savannah, Ga., and the ACUI National Championships, set for March 18-23.

"We've definitely come a long way just in the few short months that we've been practicing now," Reaves said. "We're getting ready to come into our actual season where we're able to shoot at tournaments. That's going to be awesome to see how far everybody's come. Going to this year's national championship … we've got every opportunity to win (again) if people show out."

After safety concerns limited the Flames' and Lady Flames' access to all of their ranges at the Liberty Mountain Gun Club last season, the team has been able to sharpen its shooting skills in all of the disciplines more regularly this fall.

"The season's off to a great start," Davis said. "This year, we've been able to get back on the sporting clays course for half of our practices, which has been extremely beneficial for the team learning the fundamentals. We are focusing on skeet for the other half of our practices … and it's been a really good practice season so far.

"It's been great to be back," Hagy added. "We've made a lot of improvements with the team. We recruited some new people. Practices have been a little more frequent with more access to the range, so we're loving it so far."

Video edited by Isaac Martin/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant

Liberty University Club Sports Athletics

Shotgun team sharpening focus on ACUI National Championship repeat

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