American junior shooting athletes achieved remarkable success at the 2025 Junior Championship of the Americas (CAT) Games in Barbados, securing an impressive haul of ten medals and eight quotas. This victory marks a significant achievement for several competitors who participated in their first international competition. The quotas earned will allow U.S. athletes to compete in various events at the upcoming 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay this August. Both skeet and trap teams excelled, earning numerous individual and team accolades.

The rifle and pistol athletes also performed admirably earlier in the month, adding eight more medals and quotas to the tally. These achievements highlight the growing talent within the USA Shooting program and set high expectations for future competitions.

Outstanding Performances in Skeet Events

In the skeet category, Team USA demonstrated exceptional skill, capturing five medals and four quotas. Benjamin Keller, a two-time Junior World Champion, claimed gold in the Junior Men’s Skeet event, closely followed by teammate Aidin Burns who secured silver. Their combined efforts, along with Westley Kiter, resulted in a gold medal win in the Junior Men's Skeet Team event, marking Kiter’s debut on the international stage.

Madeline Corbin, a seasoned competitor with three international medals, triumphed in the Junior Women’s Skeet event, taking home gold. Her teammate Gracie Hensley added to the celebration by securing bronze, ensuring two quotas for the U.S. in the Junior Women’s Skeet event at the upcoming Junior Pan American Games. Keller and Burns also secured quotas for the U.S. in the Junior Men’s Skeet category, reflecting the depth of talent within the team.

Versatile Success in Trap Competitions

The trap team showcased their prowess by sweeping all podium positions in the Junior Women’s Trap event. Carey Garrison, an eight-time international medalist, emerged victorious, while Ava Downs and Sidney Coffin joined her on the podium with silver and bronze respectively. This marked Coffin’s first international medal, underscoring the emerging talent within the squad.

In the mixed trap team event, Connor Lynn paired with Downs to secure gold, while Kaleb Horinek teamed up with Garrison to clinch bronze. Both Lynn and Horinek earned their first international medals at the CAT Games, further enriching the team's accomplishments. Garrison and Downs ensured two quotas for the U.S. in the Junior Women’s Trap event, while Horinek and Lynn did the same for the Junior Men’s Trap category at the Junior Pan American Games. These achievements underscore the strength and versatility of the U.S. shooting team across multiple disciplines.