USA Shooting announced its 2026 Shotgun National Teams on December 11, 2025, following the Fall Selection Match in Tucson, Arizona. These athletes will represent the United States at major international competitions throughout the year.

The selection process combined results from two critical events—the 2025 Hillsdale National Championship and the 2025 Tucson Selection Match. Athletes battled through multi-round qualification and ISSF-format finals, with desert conditions shifting constantly throughout the competition.

Why it matters: These teams will carry America's hopes at ISSF World Cups in Morocco and Kazakhstan, while junior athletes head to prestigious competitions in Cairo and Suhl.

• Several events came down to dramatic shoot-offs as competitors pushed for national team spots. The intense selection process ensured only the most consistent performers earned their spots.

By the numbers: The competition results tell the story of razor-thin margins.

• 244 — Sam Simonton's winning score in Women's Skeet
• 242 — Dania Vizzi's second-place finish
• 238 — Gracie Hensley's third-place score

"The U.S. enters 2026 with experienced veterans and juniors who proved they belong on the world stage."

The newly selected athletes now shift focus to their upcoming international assignments. The ISSF World Cup circuit begins with competition in Tangier, Morocco, followed by events in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Junior team members will compete at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, and other international venues including Suhl.

The bottom line: Team USA's shotgun program has identified its top talent for what promises to be a competitive 2026 season on the international stage.

Go deeper:

• USA Shooting

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Steve Duskett

Join the Discussion

Anyone here competing in shotgun disciplines – are you working toward making a national team, or is that more of a "nice to have" goal compared to just improving your scores?