8 June 2026
By John Rossiter
Covington, GA — The Alabama State Trapshooting Association held its 2026 State Championships as a two-day event this past weekend, June 6-7, at the South River Gun Club in Covington, Georgia. The relocation from the closed Dixie Trap and Gun Club in Matthews, Alabama, to this Georgia venue provided excellent facilities across six program trap fields. Georgia shooters delivered standout performances throughout the program, capturing multiple major titles and high placements in the out-of-state categories.
Saturday, June 6, featured sunny skies for Event 1, the Singles Championship, which attracted 100 entries. Georgia’s John N. Davis posted a perfect 200 to claim the overall out-of-state championship. Boone M. Butler excelled in Class AA with 195, Stephen P. Williams scored 197 in Class A, and Jase Lee Royal turned in a strong 199 in the SJ category. Additional Georgia shooters who placed in the out-of-state awards included Shirley Duong, James E. Preskitt, and others who contributed solid scores across various classes and categories.
On Sunday, June 7, clouds and the typical Georgia humidity set in as competitors took on Events 2 and 3. In the Doubles Championship with 79 entries, Georgia’s J Ethan Miles (JRG, Class A) posted a 98 to win the out-of-state title. Other Georgia shooters earning placements included Justin L. Royal (94 in Class A), John J. Rossiter (97 in Class B), Jase Lee Royal (94 in SJ), Shirley Duong (94 in LD1), Joseph A. Oleary (95 in SUBV), Brandon J. Crabb, and William E. Fahrlende, among others who featured in the class and category awards.
The Handicap Championship (84 entries) saw more success for the Georgia contingent. Jase Lee Royal continued his dominant weekend by winning the out-of-state championship with a score of 99. Brandon J. Crabb secured the GA-AL Buckle with 96 in the JRG class. Other Georgia shooters who placed prominently included John E. Kuntz (97), Ethan D. Moody (93), Boone M. Butler (93), Mike J. Schildgen, Daniel Brandreth, and several more who earned yardage awards and cash prizes in their respective categories.
Jase Lee Royal’s outstanding consistency across all events also earned him the High All-Around out-of-state title with 392 points. The event was well-organized under ASTA President Tim Hall and support from leaders like Wayne Sartwell. Georgia athletes such as Jase Lee Royal, John N. Davis, J Ethan Miles, Boone M. Butler, Brandon J. Crabb, Justin L. Royal, John J. Rossiter, Shirley Duong, Stephen P. Williams, and many others represented the state with excellence, bringing home significant hardware. The successful hosting at South River Gun Club highlighted the strength of the regional trapshooting community heading into the rest of the season.