Echuca Clay Target Club was the venue for the 2023 Victorian Clay Target Association State School Student Championship, with juniors coming from far and wide to compete on Monday, September 4.
Mildura’s Max Mannes and Rebeccas Hayes walked away with the ultimate prizes, as Mannes claimed the overall title after shooting 29 of 30 targets in the single barrel competition, while Hayes took out the girls division after shooting 27 of 30 targets..
Mannes was in fine touch, carding a perfect opening round of 15 targets hit, before his second-round score of 14 secured the championship.
The youngster claimed the trophy by one target ahead of Harrison Glennen, Jack Bateson and Dylan Naylor, who all shot 28.
Glennen claimed outright second after hitting four of five targets in a shoot-off, one more than Bateson who rounded out the podium, while Naylor had to settle for fourth on a countback after an opening round of 13.
Local talent Aiden Calleja was also in the mix, securing third place in the junior category after a thrilling finale.
Tied on 26 targets after two rounds, Calleja outpointed both Roy Davis and Zachary Rosetto in a shoot-off to claim the final place on the podium in his very first school competition.