Finishes 8th in nation in shotgun
Blake Morris lives to shoot, and he’s pretty good at it too.
The 15-year-old Montz sharpshooter recently took part in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Invitational in San Antonio, where he finished eighth overall in the shotgun event.
That’s pretty impressive when you factor in that only the top four shooters from each state qualify to take part.
Morris represented Louisiana in the event, which consisted of skeet, trap and sporting clays. He finished twelfth in skeet, ninth in trap and fifth in sporting clays for an overall finish of eighth place.
“The competition was very tough because I was shooting against the top shooters from 37 states,” Morris said. “I felt honored to be one of the top shooters from Louisiana and have the opportunity to represent our state at a national event.”
In the skeet event, the clays are thrown from the same location every time and the shooter moves in a ½ circle formation. For the trap event, the clays are thrown from a machine 16 yards in front of the shooter. The machine is oscillating from side to side so the shooters don’t know where the clay is going to end up.
In sporting clays, the shooter walks through a course of multiple stations where they are presented with different scenarios. The shooter has to use a different strategy for each station in order to be successful.
“Sporting clays is my favorite because it simulates real hunting situations,” Morris said. “Sometimes you have to react and make decisions quickly because some stations consisted of clays at long distances, some clays move fast and some stations had both.
“This is an event that provides challenges to even the best shooters.”
Shooters in the competition varied in age from 15 to 19 and all of them are active 4-H members in high school. But Morris wasn’t nervous about going up against the best of the best.
“I have shot in other large shooting events in the past and some of the larger NSCA (National Sporting Clay Association) events that I shoot at have really helped me not to get nervous,” he said. “Once you step up and take the shot, there’s no taking it back so you have to be ready.”
To get ready for each of his competitions, Morris said he spends several hours each week practicing. During each practice, he takes between 200 to 500 shots.
“Having the right mindset is a key factor in being a successful shooter because the mental part is just as important as the physical part,” Morris said.
But practice is just as fun as the actual competitions to Morris, who loves shooting because of the challenge it provides.
“I enjoy it because it provides a challenge to yourself to get better each time you shoot,” he said. “It’s not all about winning, even though it’s nice, but it’s about improving your game and getting better so that the next time you are faced with a certain situation you are ready to react and handle it.”
While shooting shotgun is Morris’ favorite event, he also participates in small-bore rifle, archery and muzzleloader competitions. At a regional event, which was held in Lake Charles, he qualified for the state tournament in archery and rifle in addition to shotgun.
At the state tournament, he qualified for nationals in both archery and shotgun.
“Shooting to me is like baseball or football to my friends,” Morris said. “When my friends found out I finished in the Top 10 in the nation, they were excited for me because they know how much I enjoy shooting and how much I practice.
“A lot of times I’m not home to do things with my friends because I’m either practicing or competing.”
And Morris also has a few friends who are nationally respected in the shooter circuit and have taken him under their wing.
Kevin Candies is a “Master Class” shooter in the NSCA and has supported Morris over the past few months by teaming up with him at a few tournaments. The two also practice together on a regular basis. Brad Kidd is one of the world’s best shooters in sporting clays and is the 2010 National Champion. He also recently placed second in the World Sporting Clay Championship.
Morris said that Kidd has provided him with shooting techniques that have improved his game from both the physical and mental aspects.
“I really want to thank them both for taking their time to help me and bring my shooting game to the next level,” Morris said. “I also want to thank my parents for supporting me and allowing me to shoot.”
Morris won’t have too much time to rest before his next competitions. He will take part in the U.S. Youth Skeet and Trap Open in Las Vegas later this month before competing in the Boy Scouts of America Sporting Clay Classic in August. Then its on to the NSCA Louisiana State Tournament in September and the NSCA National Finals in October.
Along with his individual accomplishments at the 4-H nationals, Morris participated with a four-member team that represented Louisiana. Team members Morris, Kyle Peterson, Kade Hicks and Garrett Thrasher placed second in sporting clays, third in trap and third overall.
The team is coached by Rodney Peterson.
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