SHOOTING: Eller in the Lead for Double Trap; McLelland and Rhode on Top in Skeet after first day of 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shooting (Shotgun)

KERRVILLE, Texas (March 14, 2008)-The first day of competition for Double Trap and Skeet at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shooting (Shotgun) concluded today with Glenn Eller (Katy, Texas) in the lead for Double Trap, while Sean McLelland (Mission, Texas) and Kim Rhode (El Monte, Calif.) are in first place for Men's and Women's Skeet. Two-time Olympian and USAMU shooter Eller is holding first place in Double Trap with a total score of 426 targets. USAMU member and 2007 Pan American Games silver medalist Jeff Holguin (Yorba, Linda, Calif.) is looking for his first berth to the U.S. Olympic team, holding on to the second spot with a score of 423 targets. Eller and Holguin's USAMU teammates Josh Richmond (Hillsgrove, Pa.), the 2007 Pan Am Games Champion, and 2000 Olympian Bill Keever (Rutherfordton, N.C.), are in third and fourth place respectively with 417 and 410 targets. Bryce Gearhart (Freeburg, Pa.) and Jared Fodor (Centerburg, Ohio) are tied for fifth place with 398 targets. McLelland is on top in Men's Skeet after finishing the day with a total score of 341. USAMU member Vincent Hancock (Eatonton, Ga.), who is the 2007 World Cup Italy Champion/world record holder and 2007 Pan American Games gold medalist, is just one target behind in second place with 340. USAMU member Mark Weeks (Clinton Township, Mich.) is holding third place with 333 targets, while BJ Blanchard (Vidor, Texas) is in fourth place with 330 targets. Jon Michael McGrath (Tulsa, Okla.) and Clay Hart (Athens, Ga.) are tied for fifth place with 329 targets. In Women's Skeet, three-time Olympic medalist (1996 and 2004 gold medalist, 2000 bronze medalist) Kim Rhode (El Monte, Calif.), is in first place with a score of 332 targets. Pan American Games gold medalist Haley Dunn (Eddyville, Iowa) is right behind Rhode in second place with 330 targets. Two-time Olympian Connie Smotek (Bryan, Texas) is holding third place with 325 targets, while 2007 Junior World Clay Target Champion Emily Blount (Tucson, Ariz.) is in fourth place with 310 targets. Brandie Neal (Spencer, Ind.) and Laura Kolb (College Station, Texas) are tied for fifth place with 308 targets. The 2008 U.S. Olympic team members for Double Trap will be selected after the Double Trap finals tomorrow. There are two U.S. Olympic team spots available in Double Trap. The Skeet team will be named following the Men's and Women's Skeet finals on Sunday, which is the last day of competition at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shooting (Shotgun). There are two U.S. Olympic team spots available in Men's Skeet and one spot in Women's Skeet. The Trap portion of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shooting (Shotgun) concluded on March 12 with three-time Olympian Bret Erickson (Bennington, Neb./Muenster, Texas) and Dominic Grazioli (Myrtle Beach, S.C./San Antonio, Texas), along with (Corey Cogdell (Eagle River, Alaska) being selected to the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in Men's and Women's Trap. Top shotgun shooters from around the United States are vying for spots on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Shooting (Shotgun) March 8-16, which is being held at the Hill Country Shooting Sports Center in Kerrville, Texas. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Shooting is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Shooting. Shotgun athletes are being selected to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team based on the aggregate score from both the Fall Selection competition, which was held last August and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Shooting (Shotgun). The USOC has final approval of all U.S. Olympic Team members. There are eight total spots available to the U.S. Olympic Shotgun team: Men's Skeet, 2; Men's Trap, 2; Men's Double Trap, 2; Women's Skeet, 1 and Women's Trap, 1. For complete 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Shooting (Shotgun) results, please visit www.usashooting.org. 2008 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS-SHOOTING (SHOTGUN) COMPETITION SCHEDULE: Saturday, March 15 Men's Double Trap Final (Selection of Olympic Team members for Double Trap) Men's and Women's Skeet Match-Day 2 Sunday, March 16 Men's and Women's Skeet Finals (Selection of Olympic Team members for Men's and Women's Skeet) Media interested in more information should contact Mary Beth Vorwerk, Media and Public Relations Manager, USA Shooting, at (719)866-4896 or marybeth.vorwerk@usashooting.org.