Madison Cash shoots personal best at nationals

A local trap shooter uses many years of experience to achieve high honors at the national championship.

Madison Cash of the SEMO Youth Shooters trap team competed at World Shooting Complex in Sparta, IL, for the 2023 Grand National Youth Trapshooting Championships, where she shot her personal best.

The national championship consisted of sporting clays, skeet, handicaps, doubles and singles competitions. There were over 1,600 registered shooters, and 29 states were represented.

Though she’s competed in the event many times, nerves seem to peek around the corner when competing against some of the best trap shooters in the country.

“It was very exciting to compete at nationals,” Cash said. “I have competed in this event for the past four years, and every time, I tend to get very nervous no matter how much I prepare for it.”

Despite the nerves, Cash rose to the occasion and brought home a lot of hardware.

In the handicaps event, Cash took the High Overall Champion, Junior Lady Champion and ATA All-American point trophy with the lone perfect score of 100 out of 100, with over 1,000 shooters in this event. Madison will also be featured in the Trap & Field and Trapshooting USA magazines.

In the singles event, the SEMO Shooters squad included Cooper Rideout, Logan Hart, Eli White, Caleb Pierce and Cash, who won second place in Junior Class A with a score of 960 out of 1000 clays hit.

“I was very proud of myself and the team for how we performed,” Cash said. “That day was special for me because I got my 100 patch, and it was my first time shooting 100 straight, so I was excited and proud of myself.”

The SEMO Shooters trap team winners in caps and doubles at the 2023 Grand National Youth Trapshooting Championships. (Left) Matthew Gilliam, Noah Innes, Madison Cash, Truston Alexander.Photo Provided

Cash said she’s been shooting traps since the age of 10, and her dad played a big role in pushing her to do all the things she’s accomplished so far within trap shooting. He’s also the head coach of her squad, which Cash said has been convenient and great to have her dad right by her side every step of the way.

“I think her performance was phenomenal,” head coach Donald Cash said. “ She's been shooting for a while, and I believe watching her older brother and sister got her started from a young age. She’s continued to improve, and I’m truly proud of her.”

Compared to how she competed at last year’s national tournament, Donald Cash said the maturity level and the concentration amount of concentration were much better, which helped her excel this year.

The SEMO Shooters had many kids shoot their personal bests to date at this competition, with five shooters earning patches for hitting clays without missing.

“The whole group of kids just did a phenomenal job,” he said. “It was a great trip and a really good experience, but I’m super proud of how everyone did.”