Georgia Shooters Shine Amid Heat, Rain and Wind at 2026 Grand American

By John Rossiter

SPARTA, IL. — Across nearly two weeks of shifting summer weather at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, a determined group of Georgia trapshooters competed in the 2026 Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. Some days brought intense heat and humidity with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s, while others delivered rain, gusty winds and unsettled conditions that tested concentration and timing on the long trap lines.

The 1,600-acre complex near Sparta in Randolph County, IL has hosted the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s premier event since opening in 2006. Built on reclaimed strip-mine land, it features the world’s longest continuous trap line—120 trap houses stretching 3.5 miles—along with sporting clays courses, skeet fields, more than 1,000 campsites, fishing lakes and full-service amenities. Each summer the grounds become a temporary city of more than 5,000 competitors, families and spectators from across the United States and abroad for the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships.

This year Georgia sent 21 classified shooters. While the Peach State did not claim the absolute top overall titles, its athletes posted a series of strong finishes and individual highlights that reflected the depth of the state’s trapshooting community.

Leading the Georgia contingent was Sub-Veteran and current President of the Georgia Amateur Trapshooting Association,  Joseph Oleary, who collected the most trophies of any Peach State shooter. He earned Class A Champion in the All American Woodworking Doubles with a 96, Class A Champion in the Super 500 Doubles with a 478, Class A Third in the Precision Fit Stock Doubles with a 97, and Class AA Runner-up in the Preliminary Week High All Around with a 382.

Junior shooter Rory Lee added two strong showings of his own, taking Junior Third in the Little Egypt Golf Cars Doubles with a 99 and Class AA Third in the Super 500 Doubles with a 480. Mike Reed claimed Class A Champion in the Winchester AA Class Singles Championship with a perfect 200. Evan J. O’Leary, currently listed from Alabama but set to be recognized as a Georgia shooter effective Sept. 1, earned Class AA Third in the ATA World Doubles Championship with a 99.

Beyond the official trophy board, other Georgia competitors turned in performances worth noting. John Rossiter ran a flawless 100 straight in the second half of the Winchester AA Class Singles Championship, finishing with a solid 196—an accomplishment that did not appear on the formal trophy list but demonstrated the mid-event composure required under variable conditions.

The weather itself became part of the story. Hot, humid stretches created mirage and fatigue on the longer banks, while periods of rain and shifting winds forced shooters to constantly adjust for target flight and footing. Those changing conditions demanded mental toughness as much as technical skill across the 11-day schedule that ran from late July through Aug. 8.

For Georgia’s 21 classified shooters, the 2026 Grand American delivered both hardware and hard-earned experience. Whether standing on the podium or simply posting competitive scores through heat, rain and wind, they carried the state’s colors with pride on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Congratulations to all the Georgia Shooters who took a chance, made the long trip, and competed at the Grand American: Joe Baker, James Caldwell, John Davis, Scott Dove, Martin Henderson, Dave Hollingsworth, Cara Isdell Lee, Rory Lee, Zak Lee, Jennifer Nuti, Russell Nuti, Joe Oleary, Bill Ponder, Betsy Reed, Mike Reed, John Rossiter, Darren Warden, Sam Weil, Ed Wolfe.