by Kadin Pounders for the FCT

The Cedar Hill Smokin’ Guns once again racked up on the hardware at this year’s Academics Integrity Marksmanship program state trap shoot at the Dixie Trap and Skeet Club in Montgomery.

May 31, for the second year in a row, the Smokin’ Guns took home the first place prize in the junior classification.

The Smokin’ Guns team of five shooters consisted of Mac Booth, Turner Collum, Caleb Mays, Logan Taylor and Cole Willingham. These five competed against 60 other shooters from around the state of Alabama.

Jordan Collum and Skyler Poore, also members of the Smokin’ Guns, competed in individual events as well.

The seven shooters representing the Cedar Hill Trap Range took home a number of individual AIM and Amateur Trapshooting Association awards in the pre-sub, sub-junior, and junior classifications.

“All of the guys did pretty good,” said Wade Willingham, the squad’s coach and owner of Cedar Hill Trap Range. “The kids put in a lot of practice.”

With the state shoot in the bag, the Smokin’ Guns will be headed to the AIM Grand Championships at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Ill.

“It’s a sight to see,” said Willingham. “There’ll be people from all over the world there.”

For the trip to Illinois, John Isaac Willis will take Mays’ spot in the five-man squad. The rest of the team will remain the same, according to Willingham.

The Grand Championships will be held Aug. 1-4.