Hillsdale College Shotgun Coach Wins Bronze Medal at the CAT Championship
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Caitlin Connor Royer, assistant program development and competition manager and assistant shotgun coach at Hillsdale College, took home a bronze medal during the Confederation of the Americas Championship in Lima, Peru.
“It is always an honor to represent my country during these competitions,” said Connor Royer. “I look forward to what the future holds with USA Shooting, and I am grateful to everyone who helped me get to this point.”
Connor Royer competed on Nov. 7 in the Women’s Skeet and received a total score of 23, earning her the bronze medal. She began her shooting career at the age of 15 and is a current member of the U.S. National Shotgun Team. She is the 2018 ISSF World Shooting Championship gold medalist and a three-time gold medalist at the 2022 World Cup in Lonato.
“Caitlin is an accomplished athlete and a great coach to our students,” said Rich Péwé, chief administrative officer of Hillsdale College. “Our partnership with USA Shooting has been a great blessing for the college, and Caitlin brings expertise and experience that enhances our programs.”
USA Shooting had a strong showing in other events during the CAT Championship, earning 11 gold medals, 6 silver medals, 3 bronze medals, and 10 Olympic quotas:
- Men’s Air Rifle: Brandon Muske, gold and Olympic quota
- Men’s 50m Rifle: Ivan Roe, gold and Olympic quota; Tim Sherry, silver; Lucas Kozeniesky, bronze
- Women’s Air Rifle: Sagen Maddalena, gold; Mary Tucker, silver and Olympic quota; Ali Weisz, bronze
- Women’s 50m Rifle: Mary Tucker, gold; Sarah Beard, silver and Olympic quota; Katie Zaun, bronze
- Air Rifle Mixed Team: gold
- Men’s 25m Pistol: Henry Leverett, silver
- Women’s 10m Air Pistol: Suman Sanghera, gold and Olympic quota; Alexis Lagan, Silver
- Women’s 25m Pistol: Katelyn Abeln, gold and Olympic quota
- Men’s Trap: William Hinton, gold and Olympic quota
- Women’s Trap: Aeriel Skinner, gold and Olympic quota
- Men’s Skeet: Dustan Taylor, gold and Olympic quota
- Women’s Skeet: Dania Vizzi, gold and Olympic quota
“This has been the most successful two months of competition outside of the Olympic Games in the history of USA Shooting,” said Sharee Waldron, national team manager for USA Shooting. “We look forward to an excellent showing in Paris 2024. Congratulations to all of our athletes who have earned a quota.”
Upon the completion of the CAT Championship, USA Shooting has been awarded 15 quotas and over 30 medals from two months of competition. USA Shooting has earned quotas for the 2024 Olympics in several events:
- Men’s Trap: William Hinton and Derrick Mein
- Women’s Trap: Aeriel Skinner
- Men’s Trap: Dustan Taylor and Vincent Hancock
- Women’s Skeet: Dania Vizzi and Sam Simonton
- Men’s Air Rifle: Brandon Musk
- Women’s Air Rifle: Mary Tucker and Ali Weisz
- Men’s Smallbore: Ivan Roe
- Women’s Smallbore: Sarah Beard and Sagen Maddalena
- Women’s Air Pistol: Suman Sanghera
- Women’s 25m Pistol: Katelyn Abeln
For a headshot of Royer, click here.