Women's Skeet: Amber English, Austen Smith Awarded U.S. Olympic Team Spots

by
posted on March 9, 2020
womensskeet2020_1.jpg

At the conclusion of the U.S. Olympic Team Shotgun Trials at the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club in Arizona, U.S. Army Reservist and Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) shooter 1st Lt. Amber English and teenage competitor Austen Smith both earned 2020 U.S. Olympic Team berths in women's skeet. The competition wrapped up on Sunday, March 8.

Amber English
1st Lt. Amber English has won four world cup medals, and contended for Olympic Team spots in 2012 and 2016. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)


English had a perfect score for six of 10 rounds, and finished the match as champion with a final score of 532, while Smith was the runner-up with 529.

The duo will join teammates Vincent Hancock and AMU shooter Spc. Phillip Jungman as Team USA's skeet shooters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

And for the first time since 1996, six-time Olympic medalist and NRA Board Member Kim Rhode will not be competing at the Games, instead earning a women's skeet Olympic alternate spot, along with fellow shooter Samantha Simonton. Rhode is the only woman, U.S. or otherwise, to ever medal at six Olympics in any sport.

Kim Rhode and Winchester AA shells
Although she did not earn a 2020 women's skeet berth, don't count out Kim Rhode just yet. She was named an alternate and anything can happen. (Photo courtesy of Winchester Ammunition)


For English and Smith, the Tokyo 2020 Games will be the first taste of Olympic competition for both.

English was overwhelmed with emotion after earning her spot on the team at the conclusion of the match. The 30-year-old previously attempted in 2012 and 2016, taking an Olympic alternate spot during the latter.

"That was a very, very stressful four days, and we have some of the best shooters in the world for women's skeet, so I could not be happier to be on this team," English said in an interview with Brandon Penny reporting for the Team USA website.

Austen Smith, 2020 U.S. women's skeet team
Austen Smith won individual world cup and mixed team world championship gold medals last year. (Photo courtesy U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)


As for the 18-year-old Smith, she has been shooting competitively for six years and has been coached by Vincent Hancock himself for the past three. She did not expect to make the team.

"I'm just in shock, really. I was competing against some of the best women in the world, so just to be among them is insane—and to get past them just for a second is really great," Smith said to Team USA in an interview.

2020 Shotgun Spring Selection, Olympic Trials Part 2—Women's Skeet Leaderboard

  • Olympian—Amber English, 532
  • Olympian—Austen Smith, 529
  • Alternate Olympian—Samantha Simonton, 527
  • Alternate Olympian—Kim Rhode, 520
  • Match Champion—Amber English, 245
  • Match Silver—Samantha Simonton, 237
  • Match Bronze—Austen Smith, 236
  • Junior Champion—Lia Nelson, 208
  • Junior Silver—Jasmine Otis, 204
  • Junior Bronze—Alishia Layne, 203
  • Collegiate Gold—Samantha Simonton, 237
  • Collegiate Silver—Erin Lokke, 224
  • Collegiate Bronze—Emma Van Donselaar, 208
  • J2 Gold—Alishia Layne, 203
  • J2 Silver—Phoebe Smith, 198
  • J2 Bronze—Molly DiMaggio, 195
  • J3 Gold—Karsyn Ross, 202


Lead photo courtesy of U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.


See more: With 160 Days To Tokyo 2020, Collegiate Athletes Bring U.S. Olympic Rifle Team To Life

Latest

Buildingstagespeed 4
Buildingstagespeed 4

Guide To Building Stage Speed

These tips for building stage speed in action shooting will help you rise to the top of the match leaderboard at your next competition.

More Than 6,000 Shooters Experience An Improved Range: 1961 National Matches

A refurbished range greeted the more than 6,000 competitors at the 1961 National Matches, a number which broke attendance records.

Rich Combination Of History & Shooting On Display At Creedmoor 150 Match

A weeklong competition with period and recreated rifles was held in October to recognize the 150th anniversary of the original 1874 Creedmoor International Match.

NRA Announces 2025 National Matches Locations & Schedule

The 2025 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships will be held at the Cardinal Shooting Center, Alliance Rifle Club, Oklahoma City Gun Club and Winnequah Gun Club next June and July.

2024 Holiday Gift Guide: Rifles

Five rifles that are excellent presents for competitive shooters this holiday season.

All About The 2024 USPSA Alabama State Championship

The 2024 USPSA Alabama State Championship was held at Cavern Cove Competitive Shooting Range in Marshall County, Ala., May 16-18.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.