“My Shooting Sports Story” is a place for people from all walks of life to share how they got started in the shooting sports and what they mean to them. There is a place for everyone in the shooting sports, regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation or physical ability. It is our hope that these stories will connect and encourage others to give the shooting sports a try.

Sam Simonton, USA Shooting Team Member

Who are you and what do you do?

Sam Simonton, I shoot International Skeet.

How did you get started in the shooting sports?

My high school started a team through the Georgia Independent School Association my freshman year. I started in American skeet, trap and sporting clays. I won the state championships and was asked to be on a Scholastic Clay Target Program team, where I won skeet in the Junior division and a friend asked me if I wanted to try international. The rest is history.

What do you like most about the shooting sports?

I like the challenge, because it isn’t physical, it’s mental and it forces me to develop a positive mindset and overcome my negative one.

What is your favorite shooting sport (if you have one)?

International skeet.

What would you say to someone looking to get started?

It’s going to be tough to start in International (the sport of International Skeet) but stay with it because nothing worth having comes easy.

Check out all these great resources for New Shooters!

You may also be interested in: 

https://www.letsgoshooting.org/2015/06/17/an-introduction-to-international-skeet/