Pioneers Shooting Sports Finish as National Runner-Up at ACUI Championships
The Western Oklahoma State College shooting sports team delivered an outstanding performance on the national stage, earning the title of 2026 ACUI Division IV Classic All-Around (CAA) Runner-Up National Champions.
Competing against top programs from across the country, the Pioneers showcased consistency and depth across multiple disciplines, recording several top finishes in team competition.
Western placed fourth in Doubles Skeet following a team shoot-off, with contributors Jayce, Baylee, Emily, Tanner, and Madison leading the effort. The Pioneers also secured fourth-place finishes in Doubles Trap (Alex, Baylee, Emily, Jayce, Madison) and Skeet (Emily, Baylee, Jaeden, Tanner, Madison).
In Sporting Clays, Western finished sixth behind strong performances from Emily, Jaeden, Mickial, Tanner, and Rene, while the Trap squad (Alex, Baylee, Tanner, Jayce, Madison) placed eighth overall.
Individually, Baylee Pence earned a podium finish, placing third in Class A Trap Doubles Women. In the Classic All-Around (CAA) standings, Western had multiple athletes rank among the top competitors. Emily Robertson led the women's division with a sixth-place finish, followed by Madison Miller (T-7th) and Baylee Pence (9th). On the men's side, Jaeden and Tanner each secured a tie for ninth place.
The Pioneers also saw multiple athletes achieve personal records during the competition. Jayden Drling recorded PRs in Skeet and Skeet Doubles, while Connor Hance improved in both Trap and Skeet. Madison Miller (Skeet), Baylee Pence (Trap Doubles), Alex Palmer (Trap Doubles), and Kace Angelly (Trap Doubles) also posted personal-best performances.
Western's success extended beyond competition, as several student-athletes excelled in the classroom. Connor Hance, Baylee Pence, Emily Robertson, Madison Miller, and Caleb Stone each maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher while competing at the national level.
With a national runner-up finish and strong individual performances, the Pioneers capped off a successful season marked by growth, achievement, and continued excellence both on the range and in the classroom.
