Youngest Shooter in History Inducted into Georgia Trapshooting Hall of Fame

Covington, GA – September 6, 2025 – In a historic moment for the sport of trapshooting, 21-year-old Ethan C. Ledford has become the youngest shooter ever inducted into the Georgia Trapshooting Hall of Fame. The enshrinement ceremony, held on September 6, 2025, celebrated Ledford's remarkable journey from a novice 4-H participant to a dominant force in competitive shooting.

Ethan's passion for trapshooting ignited at age 11 as a member of the Henry County 4-H Shotgun Team, where he quickly excelled in modified trap. His introduction to the American Trapshooting Association (ATA) came during a practice session at the Griffin Gun Club, where he curiously joined a group of shooters at the 16-yard line. Unfamiliar with registered targets, Ledford received guidance that day and was hooked for life.

His official ATA debut occurred on April 7, 2019, at the South River Gun Club, when the 14-year-old smashed 91 out of 100 targets. This strong start was followed by his first trophy win in a tense handicap shoot-off, fueling his competitive drive. By 2020, Ledford was named a National Ambassador for 4-H Shooting Sports, undergoing training in leadership and mentoring to inspire the next generation of young shooters. In 2021, at just 17, he advanced to the prestigious 27-yard line in handicap events. After graduating high school in 2022, Ledford earned a scholarship to compete at the collegiate level with Truett McConnell University, where he is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

Ledford's list of accomplishments is extensive:

• Four-time ATA All-American, including Junior Gold First Team honors in 2024 and 2025, and Junior Second Team in 2023 and 2022.

• Achieved AA27AA classification in 2024.

• Selected to the Georgia State Trapshooting Team for five consecutive years, serving as captain for three.

• 12-time Georgia State Champion and 11-time Non-Resident Champion.

• 19-time Georgia State Junior/Junior Gold Champion and 102-time Non-Resident Junior/Junior Gold Champion.

• 13 Grand American Trophy wins, 47 Satellite Grand Trophy wins, and 16 Zone Trophy wins.

• Numerous class and yardage victories, plus three Collegiate ACUI wins.

One of Ledford's most unforgettable achievements came at the 2025 Georgia Trapshooting Championships, where he swept all major events: singles, doubles, handicap, High All Around, and High Over All.

"When Ethan is not on the field competing, he enjoys mentoring and recruiting young shooters to help build the future of the sport of trapshooting," noted Mike Schilden, Chairman of the Georgia Trapshooting Hall of Fame.

As the youngest inductee in the hall's history, Ethan C. Ledford’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring shooters proving that with talent, hard work, and a supportive community, extraordinary milestones are within reach.