PCA’s Landon DeLoach signs with GSU Clay Target Team

March 1, 2021blog, February 2021by pcajournalism

By: Riya Patel, PCA senior

On February 3, 2021, Landon DeLoach, son of Chris and Sharon DeLoach of Claxton, signed with Georgia Southern University to become a member of the 2021 Clay Target Team. GSU Head Coach Marty Fischer recruited DeLoach as a part of his endeavor to build a national winning team. DeLoach will receive several signing bonuses including: targets and ammo, a custom GS Clay Target Team shooting vest and other team gear, as well as ACUI and approved competition entry fees.

DeLoach has competed with Pinewood Christian Academy’s Shotgun Team since eighth grade. Coached under Jarin Lewis and Michael Clark, DeLoach has achieved many accomplishments – most notably his contribution to PCA’s first AAA GISA Georgia State Champion Clay Target Team title. At state, DeLoach was named part of the All-State team where he placed 4^th in skeet and 6^th in sporting clays, positioning him 5^th overall in the state. Coach Jarin Lewis proudly stated, “Landon has put in the work over the last 4 years at Pinewood and has become one of our top shooters. He has great work ethic and attitude which will carry him to do great things at the collegiate level. It has been a pleasure being able to coach him and have him on our team at Pinewood!”

DeLoach joined the National Sporting Clay Association (NSCA) in tenth grade and the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) in eleventh grade. Since becoming a member of the NSCA, DeLoach has registered 7300 targets shot. In between February 2019 to October 2020, he earned 15 first place titles landing him in the A Class.

DeLoach expressed gratitude for his experiences stating, “I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this team. Georgia Southern’s Clay Target Team is going to be very competitive and I’m fortunate that they have chosen me to compete side by side with some of the best young shooters in the nation. I appreciate the Pinewood coaches for instilling the love of shooting sports in me, and I thank my parents for giving me all the tools necessary and the support needed to be successful.”

Throughout DeLoach’s years of clay target shooting, his parents have stood by his side and supported him. They reflected, “Landon has worked very hard for the past five years. We are proud of him and the young man he has become. Supporting him as a patriot shooter has been a wonderful experience for us as parents, and we look forward to supporting him and the GS Clay Target Team in the years to come.”

DeLoach has had an impressive history in clay target shooting and has a bright future awaiting him. He shared his thoughts on his future, “At Georgia Southern, I plan to major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in political science and education and a minor in coaching. One day I hope to be able to teach and coach shooting sport.”

Pinewood congratulates DeLoach on this impressive milestone and wishes him the best for his future endeavors.