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Carson Rider displays US Open Singles
Junior Championship Award.
MCKENZIE-As sunset emblazons distant cloudbanks with
rays of bright magenta, birds chatter in the advancing
shade of a late spring afternoon. Suddenly and without
warning, the day's tranquility is disrupted as a clay
disc, launched from a trap projectile machine, rapidly
accelerates on its mercurial ascent into the sky.
Instantaneously, a single shot erupts from the barrel of
a 12 gauge Beretta DT-10 shotgun. Milliseconds later,
the shooter's shot rips through the clay target,
shattering it mid flight into fragments that fall
precipitously to the earth below.
The pinpoint strike, though quite impressive to casual
observers, is but one of countless routine practice
shots fired daily by McKenzie High School senior and
United States All-Around and Junior Champion Carson
Rider.
A member of nationally recognized Caba Crushers
Scholastic Clay Target Program Team (SCTP), Rider, 17,
son of Hollye and Lance Rider and eldest of four
brothers, has established himself as one of America's
premiere competition trap shooters. As a result, he,
along with fellow McKenzian and nationally recognized
Caba Distraptions trapshoot team member Lacey Lane were
selected from a potential pool of 8,000 SCTP
participants to participate in training exercises at the
Junior Olympic Developmental Camp in Colorado Springs,
Colorado in September, 2006.
Members of the 2006 Caba Crushers display their
Tennessee State Championship Trophy.
Camping with the Stars
Regarding his Junior Olympic training experience, Rider
said, "When Lacey and I arrived at the camp, the first
thing that struck me was its overall size. The Olympic
facility is absolutely huge. You could easily fit
McKenzie High School inside the weight room and gym.
That building alone was three stories tall."
Carson informed that in order to protect the athletes
and staff at the site, advanced security protection
measures were utilized throughout.
He explained, "The only way anyone could be granted
access into any of the camp's training or dining areas
was by typing in your identification number and then
placing your fingertips in grooves located in the wall
for print recognition scanning. That was neat."
The sheer number of great athletes living and training
together in the same facility also impressed Carson.
He said, "I had the opportunity to meet a lot of
world-class athletes, including speed skater Apollo
Anton Ono. The athletes training inside that facility
were literally the best our country has to offer for
competition against other world athletes in Olympic
sports."
Carson noted that although the experience was fun, the
daily work schedule for the athletes was all business.
He explained, "After waking each morning at 6 a. m., all
athletes would assemble together from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.
to lift weights at the weight training complex. After
that, we would assemble in the cafeteria to eat. The
food at the camp was great. Any kind of breads, meats or
vegetables a person could want was available, and
everything was delicious. Specific types of low-fat
foods were also available for athletes who required
specific diets to aid in performance training."
Following breakfast, Carson trained with fellow trap
shooters from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. He noted that after
a full day of shooting, classroom sessions were held at
night to educate trainees on Olympic compliant rules and
regulations. In addition, techniques were taught and
displayed to help athletes better refine their skills.
Rider noted that he quickly learned that International
Olympic competition-style trap shooting was considerably
different than the style utilized at state ATA shooting
events he participated in with the Caba Crushers.
He explained, "With ATA, a regular clay target machine
propels a clay target at an average speed of 39 M.P.H.
The angle of trajectory for an ATA machine is fixed at
30 degrees and propels the disc straight across the
shooting field. ATA machines, however, can't touch the
speed of an international target machine. Those machines
propel clay discs at speeds ranging from 45 to 85 M.P.H.
and are delivered in various trajectories reaching
angles up to 45 degrees. You have to memorize the
placement of the different trajectory paths. You can't
guess where the next disc is going to go. You have to
know for certain because they are coming out of the
machine fast. Our Olympic instructor told us, if you
don't see the target, don't even try to shoot at it. It
truly is a whole different style. Even the number of
people shooting on the same field is different than
ATA."
Rider stated that the instructors at the Junior Olympic
Camp had taught him invaluable shooting techniques and
educated him on the skill and style requirements needed
to compete on the international level.
Rider stated that he had applied for admission to the
Junior Olympic Team in October 2006.
He said, "If I am chosen, I'll fly out to the Olympic
Center located at Colorado Springs, Colorado two or
three times a month to train. I don't know how things
are going to play out, but the experience has been
amazing so far.
Carson, center, flanked by mom Hollye and dad Lance,
holds the Rudy Cup, signifying his winning the 2006
Tennessee state championship. Rider had also won the
Rudy Cup the previous year.
Welcome to Crusherville
Turning his focus back to McKenzie, Carson spoke proudly
about his fellow senior division Caba Crusher teammates.
"They are my friends and are fun to be around. In fact,
some of them were with me the first time that I attended
a trapshooting event. The event was a 4-H shooting camp
that was held in Columbia and I was six years old at the
time. That event turned me on to trapshooting and
started my pursuing the sport."
He continued, "My teammates and I are always hanging out
together. All of us know that we have each other's back
during competition. We are all business out there, and
if any one of us struggles during competition, the rest
of us immediately step up our performance to lift them
and the team up."
He added, "None of us performs at the top of our game
every single day. On those days when things aren't going
like you would like, that's when teamwork becomes vital.
When I see someone struggling, I tell them to just
relax, breathe, and remember the fundamentals.
Fortunately, all of my teammates are excellent
shooters."
Lend a Helping Hand
Rider stated that McKenzie's future in the sport of
trapshooting held great promise due to the large number
of interested young girls and boys participating in
training with other junior division teams.
Regarding the youth involved in the sport, he noted,
"When any of my teammates see a younger shooter
struggling, we take the time to help them. It's
important to encourage other people, especially those
younger than you. Everybody needs encouragement now and
then."
Blip on the big Radar
Unquestionable, the Caba Crushers and Caba Distraptors
unparalleled team and individual performances have
afforded both team's national notoriety and elevated the
sport of trapshooting to a whole new level.
In 2005, The Caba Crushers finished second in the
Regional Championship of the inaugural U. S. Open
Trapshooting Championship held at the new, multi-million
dollar World Shooting and Recreation Complex located in
Sparta, Illinois. The Tennessee state champions,
shooting 471 out of 500 clay targets, were ultimately
defeated by the Missouri team by just one target in
shoot-off competition.
Rider claimed the junior championship in the 16-21 age
group during the event with a perfect score of 100
targets. In the handicap junior division, he shot 94 of
100 targets for the championship.
He recalled, "That day during the handicap competition,
I missed the first four shots. I couldn't get the first
miss out of my head and it caused me to miss the next
three. I was able to reclaim my focus and hit the next
94 targets consecutively to win the event. You have to
possess the ability to forget a missed shot and focus on
the next shot in front of you. That is crucial."
In winning the national junior individual title, Carson
shot 1,055 of 1,200 total targets.
Carson stated that his capturing the Singles Class
Championship Southern Zone Event Seven in a sudden-death
shootout is a highlight of his competitive career.
He recalled, "I was shooting that day against a
tremendous shooter named Mitchell Loveless who was
ranked in the top five of the adult All-American men's
team. There were three sites hosting the competition
simultaneously. Mitchell and I were competing on a
course located in Corinth, Mississippi, while other
shooters were competing on courses in Florida and North
Carolina. Several hundred competitors were competing at
each location."
He continued, "We would shoot and then wait for the
other locations to call and report their scores. After
several elimination rounds, the field eventually
narrowed to only Mitchell and me vying against each
other in a sudden-death competition for the
championship. I had hit 200 of 200 targets to reach the
shoot off, and defeated Mitchell in sudden death."
Carson noted that listening to music during competitions
allowed him to block out distractions while providing
inspiration and concentration.
"When I compete, I listen to a rap song on my custom
I-Pod called "Yo Gotti" repetitively in my ear-buds.
That song puts me in the zone I need to be in to perform
at my best."
Great Expectations
Leaning forward in his seat, Rider's competitive spirit
manifested itself as he spoke regarding his expectations
for the 2007 Caba Crushers.
He stated, "Our team has always competed well in the
past. I definitely like our chances to win the state
championship this year and go on to win the national
championship. Everyone is returning from last year's
team, and we are capable of making it happen."
In addition to Rider, team members for the 2007 Caba
Crushers squad include Travis Russell, Brandon Sellers,
Clint Beacham and Luke Anderson.
Practice, practice, practice?
Carson said that practice sessions for the competitive
shooting season usually commence in late February or
early March.
"I usually shoot about 100 single and 50 handicap
targets each day. Though I don't place as much focus on
practicing doubles, I shoot about 100 doubles targets
per week. In the summer, I pick up my practice pace,
shooting 200 singles and 100-150 handicap shots per day.
Influences
Rider stated that his parents were his greatest
influences.
Smiling, Carson stated, "My dad has always been there
for me. He pats me on the back and motivates me to be
the best I can be. He has provided me with a very good
foundation to build upon. My mom has also worked with me
and understands the travel and time away from home that
goes with the pursuit of the sport. Sometimes, I have to
make choices as to whether to attend local events or
compete in distant competitions in order to gain
shooting points. I appreciate her love and support."
He continued, "Two other big influences are Marshall
Russell and Mark Anderson. Marshall is a tremendous help
to me because he knows how to set up my Beretta DT-10. I
shoot left-handed, and he adjusts my gun to my shooting
style so that I can shoot comfortably during
competition.
"Bill Lane is also a big influence on me. He designs my
red, white and blue competition vests and keeps me
looking sharp," he smiled.
Multi-Dimensional Athlete
One would think that to be as proficient an athlete at
trapshooting as Rider has become would require singular
devotion to the sport. One would be?wrong.
Grinning, Carson stated, I like trapshooting only
slightly more that soccer. I like everything about the
game. I run four miles each day to be in shape for play,
and train and hang out with friends from England that
play on Bethel's soccer team."
He added, Shawn Frazier, Keith Brown and Rob Cummins
help me a lot with my game. Those guys are really good
people. In addition, Keith is also an English major and
looks over my school papers for me.
He continued, "I also love the game of golf. I like the
idea that even if you aren't having a great day, your
teammates can score well and lift the team up.
Rider, in providing consistent low scoring for the
2005-2006 team, helped elevate the Rebel's golf team to
finish as the best in school history.
McKenzie High School golf coach and educator Larry Joe
Smith praised Rider, stating Carson is an exceptional
golfer and athlete, but he is an even better human
being. He is a tremendous student and leader in and
outside the classroom, and represents our school and
community as a well-respected ambassador wherever he
travels and competes. Truth is, he is just an
exceptional young man."
Bill Lane added, "A lot of young people look up to
Carson. He is always mindful of what he says or how he
acts because he knows they are watching him. He is a
helpful and unselfish person. He is also a straight-A
student and one of the finest young men I've ever known.
His parents and family have a great deal to be proud of.
Carson is exceptional."
Beretta Connection
Carson stated that when some of the Distraptors and
Crushers teams' guns were stolen during a trip last
fall, nationally recognized gun and sports apparel
manufacturer Beretta loaned the team seven guns in order
for them to remain in competition.
"They stepped up and sent the guns to us no questions
asked, allowing us to compete at the event we were
traveling to. That meant a lot to all of us.
Carson, along with Caba Distraption's Laura Beth Fowler,
were cast along with the rest of the Distraptions team
as models for a photo shoot and video featuring
Beretta's clothing product line catalog.
Of the Beretta experience, He said, "They had Laura Beth
and I do our photo session in the afternoon and had us
walk through our shot about 20 to 30 times. They told us
what to do, and it was neat to be able to wear their
clothes. I wear Beretta sportswear all the time now.
The Distraptions, in addition to being recognized as one
of the best championship trapshooting teams in the
nation, will also be featured in forthcoming articles to
appear in Field and Stream and National Geographic.
The Caba Distraptions include Laura Beth Fowler, Rachel
Chandler, Elizabeth Russell, Lacey Lane, Samantha Doster,
Meredith McKinney, Linley McClain and Mallory Martin.
Future Plans
Carson noted that after graduating high school, he
planned to attend college at Sewanee-the University of
the South located between Nashville and Chattanooga high
atop the Cumberland Plateau.
"I really like Sewanee's location and campus. I want to
continue my athletic career there by playing soccer
while earning my degree in dentistry," he said.
A partial listing of Carson Rider team and individual
trap shooting highlights (submitted by Bill Lane).
2005
*Captain of Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) team.
*ATA State Champion B Class 198/200. (100 straight and
98/100).
*4H SCTP first place Individual.
*First-ever recipient of The Rudy Cup Trophy for highest
Tennessee Shooter at the Grand American with a score of
198 of 200.
*First place finish in Jr. and Celebrity at '05 Boy
Scouts of America competition held in Evansville,
Indiana.
*Southgate Gun Club Singles Champion 199/200.
*Southgate Gun Club Handicap Champion 97/100.
2006
*Tennessee State ATA Shoot Event 1 Jr. Champion Singles
99/100.
*Tennessee State ATA Shoot Hall of Fame Champion (166
entries) 98/100.
*Tennessee State ATA Shoot Hillbilly Handicap Jr.
Champion 97/100.
*Tennessee State ATA Singles Championship Jr. (third)
195/200.
*Tennessee State ATA Doubles Championship Jr. Champion
91/100.
*Tennessee State ATA All-Around Jr. Champion (score
380).
*Captain of SCTP Tennessee All State team.
*Highest ATA average in the State of Tennessee (98.6).
*US Open Event #1-Sparta Singles Junior Champion
100/100.
*US Open Event # 2-I.D.N.R. Handicap Junior Champion
94/100.
*US Open Event #4-Preliminary Singles Junior Runner Up
99/100.
*US Open Event #7-Winchester Singles Junior Runner Up
199/200.
*US Open Event # 8-Preliminary Handicap Junior Champion
96/100.
*US Open Event # 9-White Flyer Doubles Junior Champion
99/100.
*US Open All-Around Junior Champion 391.
*US Open High Overall Junior Champion 1,055.
*Southern Zone Event #5 Dixie Handicap Junior Champion
95/100
*Southern Zone Event #6-Zone Singles Championship Junior
Champion 100/100.
*Southern Zone Event #7-Zone Singles Class Championship
Champion 200/200.
*Southern Zone Event #8 Zone Doubles Championship Junior
Runner Up 94/100.
*Southern Zone Event # 9-Zone Event Handicap
Championship Junior Runner Up 96/100.
*Southern Zone High All-Around Junior Champion 390/400.
*Southern Zone High Overall Junior Champion 969/1000.
*Defended 2005 Rudy Cup by winning 2006 with SCTP
Tennessee High Score of 197/200. Shot 25/25 to claim
trophy.
*Selected to attend the Junior Olympic Trap Shooters
Development Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
*TSTA Tennessee Autumn Festival Jr. Champion Singles
198/200.
*TSTA Tennessee Autumn Festival Jr. Champion Doubles.
*2006 ATA All-American Junior Team Member.
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