Local Middle Schooler Places 3rd in State Trap Shooting Championships

BRADENTON – 13 year-old Logan Smith won a bronze medal in Olympic Trap Shooting at the Florida Junior Olympics state championships in Gainesville this past weekend. Smith, 13, is an IB student at Johnson Middle School. She will advance to the national championships in Colorado Springs this July.

Smith, a third generation resident of Manatee County, is a member of the United States Clay Target Academy trap & skeet team, which is based in St. Petersburg. Her parents, Danny and Tiffany Smith, said they couldn't be more proud of her. Same for her grandparents, Paul and Skeeter Smith.

Amazingly, Logan has been training in the sport for a mere 10 months, which should bode well for success in the future as she continues to refine her skills.

As you might imagine, there aren't all that many females involved in the sport, which Logan said was part of the draw for her.

"What I like most about trap shooting is the feeling you get after you a break a clay," said Logan. "You put all of your training and hard work into it and it's just amazing to see the clay break and have that feeling."

Logan's parents will have to fund most of her trip to Colorado for the national tournament, but the Manatee Fish & Game Association is helping out, while also accepting donations on the young lady's behalf. Anyone interested in helping to sponsor her trip can send a donation to:

Manatee Fish & Game Association
Logan Smith Fundraising
P.O. Box 9164 
Bradenton, FL
34206