Eatonville’s Dylan Corey competes In shooting championships

Eatonville High School junior Dylan Corey participated in the Western Regionals Jr. Clay Championships in Tucson, Arizona, this past weekend, March 13 through March 15. He shot in five different events: international skeet, Olympic-style trap (bunker trap), American skeet, sporting clay and American trap.

He finished fourth overall in American skeet and second overall in American trap after a four-way tie of 99/100.  In the shoot-off to earn second place, he broke all 10 clays.

There were 110 youth competitors at the event. The best of the best in the western United States were all in attendance and competing to earn a spot at nationals in San Antonio, Texas, in June. He also earned a spot at the high school shooting combine in New Mexico in July.

Corey shot a total of 257/300. He shot his first 25/25 round in skeet and shot 50/50 in two rounds of trap before he missed his first bird. These are huge accomplishments for shotgun shooters.

Overall, Corey’s squad of five earned first place in American skeet and trap. They took second place in sporting clay.

Corey has been shooting competitively for about seven years.

“I started shooting competitively in fourth grade,” he said. “I started out shooting .22 rifles and stuck with it for six years, but after making it to nationals, I wanted to try something new. That’s when I decided to move over to shotgun, and that has been the best decision I have ever made.

“I started shooting because of one of my dad’s good friends,” Corey added. “He helped with the local 4-H group and told me to come out and try it. So, I did and never looked back.”

Many of the events that Corey participates in are Olympic events, which is a goal of his in the future.

“In the Olympics, they shoot the international games such as bunker and international skeet,” he said. “Currently, in Washington, there is only one place to practice that type of shooting. So, instead of practicing international games, I’m working towards scholarship opportunities. Then, if I can compete in college, I plan to start the journey towards the Olympics.”

Looking ahead, Corey said he plans on participating in a couple of events: the national qualifier for 4-H in May, and then USAYESS Nationals in Texas. He is also trying for a spot in the high school shotgun combine in July in New Mexico.