Nick Clement

Welcome to the future of sporting clays. Without guys like this we don't have anything to look forward to in this sport. In the almost ten years I have been around I have felt like the young kid in a sea of old farts. Although I have a long way to go before I hit any concurrent I sure wish I had started in my early teens. This month's edition of the IL Shooters You Should Know features our 2010 All State Sub Junior. Nick Clement from Virginia, IL.  Nick is about the smartest shooter you'll see out on the course. With a full schedule of hunting, fishing, football, and riding 4 wheelers, he is also on the High Honor Roll and is in the National Honors Society. With such a busy schedule Nick also manages to spend some time with friends. At just 15 years old, Nick has been shooting sporting clays for one year and has already achieved the level of B class.

Nick was first introduced to target shooting when he was just 9. His first memory was when he went along with his dad and Bill & John Ryman from Ryman's Guns to Illini Sporting Clays. With a 20 gauge youth model he surprised everyone by beating them all. A friend of Nick's Dad introduced him to Sporting Clays. He invited them to come to shoot and Nick has been hooked ever since. Nick already has a list of greatest memories that include; in his first event with over 100 competitors he was 2nd in class, 1st in Sub Jr, was the South Zone Sub Jr. Champion, moved from D to B class in only 4 months and has been named the 2010 IL State Sub Jr. Champion. The big topper to these great achievements is that this was all done in his first year of tournament shooting. In a very short time Nick has become a shooter to watch.

Nick’s Gear
Shotgun: Beretta AL391 Tekny's Gold
Ammo: Kemmen
Chokes: Beretta
Glasses: Beretta

Nick’s Clubs:
Illini Sporting Clays

Nick’s Other favorite places to compete:
Jacksonville Sportsman's Club, Jokers Wild, Otter Creek, Fallers & River Hills Sporting Clays

Nick's Comments
Bill Peterson helped Nick get started with the basics but does yet have a specific coaching process.  He believes that his good hand eye coordination from playing baseball has significantly help his game. Nick would like to keep having fun and suggests we come up with ways to make it easier for newcomers to get started. He believes, and I think we can all agree, the more participants we have the better it will be for all of us. Cheaper, more options and a stronger future.

    After a few of these profiles and meeting 100s of shooters across the country I have seen a trend that I would like to share. Almost everyone I have ever met in this great hobby was brought in by a friend or acquaintance from another shooting sport or similar hobby. Very few of us came in our own. I challenge everyone out there to bring someone new to the next event. If you need help with getting them started I am sure that anyone else will help you with additional gear, some guidance and another friend to join the squad. If I'm there I would love to help another join our great sport.

See you on the course… Dan Grebel
If you know someone else that shooters should know, please see me on the course.

Past Spotlight Articles

Bob Davis
Dr. Ralph Everson
Small Framed Big Shots - Michael Iverson
Lyle R. Shear
David P Lauzen
Upland Hunt Club

Andy Ackmann
Jon Porter
JW Pulliam
Nick Clement

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