By Brian Howard

SUGAR CITY – Shawn Derrick, a passionate shooter with aspirations of becoming a world champion, is making waves in the competitive shooting community. From his early days in the 4-H shooting program, where he first discovered his talent, to now, Shawn has been honing his skills and setting his sights on the top spot.

“At 10 years old, they enrolled us in a shooting program in 4-H, teaching us how to shoot a shotgun with a BB gun. It was an unconventional approach – no sights, both eyes open, looking down the barrel to hit the target. But I found out I was pretty good at it, and I loved it,” Shawn shared with enthusiasm.

Determined to excel in the sport, Shawn analyzed his performance and compared it to other champions in the state. “Once I figured I could do it well, I thought, why not move forward? I calculated my averages and saw that I had the potential to be on par with the state champions,” he explained.

Consulting with his family, Shawn discussed his aspirations to pursue shooting at a competitive level. “I asked my wife and kids what they thought about me going for this goal, and we all agreed that it was something worth pursuing,” Shawn said.

To improve his skills, Shawn dedicates considerable time to practice. “I try to practice at least twice a week, whether it’s at a shooting range, a competition, or just for fun. It’s different from aiming with a shotgun – your eyes follow the target, and the gun follows naturally. Practice is key, and it helps me gauge my progress and decide if this is a path I can excel in,” he noted.

For Shawn, shooting goes beyond competition; it serves as a form of relief and therapy. “On bad days, when I’m feeling irritated, my wife encourages me to go shoot. It’s like football for me as a kid – it gives me an outlet to release tension. Even if I’m not doing as well as I’d like, I see improvement every day,” he shared gratefully.

Among his collection of guns, one holds a special significance – a Browning Satori Over/Under shotgun which was owned by a close relative’s father. “This gun was his dad’s last hurrah before he passed away. He didn’t get enough time with it, and when it was offered to me, I felt a connection. I want to dedicate this year to him,” Shawn revealed, visibly moved.

As he approaches competitions, Shawn acknowledges the pre-match nerves but remains focused on his performance. “It’s natural to feel nervous, but as you go along, you mentally track your progress. When you’re one shot away from winning, you need to stay composed and trust yourself. This is what I do,” he said.

Believing in himself and his abilities, Shawn is determined to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion in shooting. “It’s kind of unbelievable that I can shoot well enough to consider going for something like this, but once you know you can do it, why not go for it?” he expressed with conviction.

Shawn Derrick’s journey in the shooting sports is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the unwavering support of family. With his eyes firmly set on the target, Shawn is ready to take on the world, aiming for greatness one shot at a time.

You can keep up with the latest on Shawn’s journey and get tips on shooting clays by following him on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@boomnpop.