Tobe McSpadden and Chase Dobrinski - National Champions in TrapshootingChase Dobrinski captures the Sub Junior World Championship with a perfect 200/200, while Tobe McSpaddenclaims Grand American Short Yardage Runner-Up and ATA 2600 High Overall Class C Championship
SPARTA, ILLINOIS — Two young athletes from Silver City recently put Grant County in the spotlight at one of the most prestigious events in the sport of trapshooting.
Chase Dobrinski and Tobe McSpadden, both of Silver City, competed in the 2026 ATA Grand American World Trapshooting Championships in Sparta, Illinois, July 29 through August 8. The Grand American is the flagship event of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and draws thousands of competitors to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in southern Illinois.
Both young shooters competed in the Sub Junior category, for shooters age 14 and under, while also competing in events that included broader classifications.
Their week was highlighted by championship performances, multiple runner-up finishes and numerous trips to the podium.
Dobrinski Claims World Championship After 200 Straight Targets
Dobrinski put together a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
Competing in the ATA World Clay Target Championship by Browning, Dobrinski broke every target in the 200-target championship event to finish with a remarkable perfect score of 200/200.
However, that perfect score did not immediately determine the champion.
Dobrinski was tied with another Sub Junior competitor after the 200-target event, sending the two shooters into a shoot-off to determine the World Champion.
The shoot-off became a test of both skill and endurance.
Dobrinski broke an additional 75 targets in the shoot-off before the championship was decided, ultimately earning the title of ATA World Clay Target Champion in the Sub Junior category.
Finishing 200-for-200 and then continuing through another 75 targets in the shoot-off made for an extraordinary championship performance and was one of the biggest highlights of the Grand American for the Silver City shooter.
Dobrinski continued his strong shooting throughout the tournament, adding several more trophies:
- Fiocchi Singles: Sub Junior 3rd Place — 99/100
- Little Egypt Golf Cart Cars Doubles: Sub Junior 2nd Place — 96/100
- MEC Outdoors Singles: Sub Junior 2nd Place — 99/100
- Precision Fit Stocks Doubles: Sub Junior 2nd Place — 100/100
- Winchester Super 500 Singles: 3rd Place
- Trap & Field Handicap: Sub Junior 4th Place — 94/100
The 100/100 score in the Precision Fit Stocks Doubles event was another standout performance during a tournament in which Dobrinski repeatedly found himself among the top finishers.
McSpadden Earns Two Major Grand American Honors
McSpadden also enjoyed an exceptional Grand American, earning two major honors that highlighted his performance across the tournament.
In the Grand American Handicap by Elite, McSpadden finished Runner-Up in the Short Yardage category with an impressive 95/100.
The Grand American Handicap is one of the marquee events of the Grand American, making a runner-up finish a significant accomplishment.
McSpadden also captured the ATA 2600 High Overall Class C Championship, another major accomplishment that demonstrated his consistency across the many targets and events of the tournament.
The two accomplishments — Grand American Handicap by Elite Short Yardage Runner-Up and ATA 2600 High Overall Class C Champion — stood among the highlights of McSpadden's week in Sparta.
His additional finishes included:
- ATA High Overall 1000: Class C Runner-Up
- Grand American Handicap by Elite: Short Yardage Runner-Up — 95/100
- ATA 2600 High Overall: Class C Champion
- Trap & Field Handicap: Sub Junior 3rd Place — 94/100
- Krieghoff 100 Handicap: Short Yardage 3rd Place — 90/100
- Mid Ste Precious Metals Handicaps: Sub Junior 3rd Place — 95/100
- Fireside RV Super 500 Handicap: Short Yardage Runner-Up
A Shoot-Off Between Two Silver City Shooters
One of the most exciting events of the tournament brought the two Silver City shooters head-to-head.
In the Trap & Field Handicap, both McSpadden and Dobrinski finished the event with scores of 94/100, tying for third place in the Sub Junior category.
The tie required a one-round shoot-off to determine the final standings.
McSpadden won the shoot-off, securing 3rd place, while Dobrinski finished 4th.
It was another memorable moment for the two young shooters, who not only represented their hometown at the Grand American but also found themselves competing against each other for a podium position.
A Sport Built on Focus and Precision
Trapshooting is a competitive clay-target sport in which athletes attempt to break targets launched into the air from a trap machine.
The sport includes several disciplines, including singles, doubles and handicap competition. Singles involves individual targets, while doubles involves two targets. Handicap competition adds another challenge by placing competitors at different distances from the trap.
Trapshooting requires concentration, timing, coordination and consistency. At the highest levels of competition, competitors may shoot hundreds of targets over the course of a tournament, with a single missed target potentially affecting the final standings.
The ATA Grand American is the association's premier championship event. The 2026 tournament in Sparta marked the 127th Grand American World Trapshooting Championship.
For Dobrinski and McSpadden, competing at that level while still in the Sub Junior category makes their accomplishments especially noteworthy.
Local Sponsors Helped Make the Trip Possible
Behind the success of any young athlete is a strong support system, and both Silver City shooters were fortunate to have sponsors who helped make their trip to the world championship possible.
Chase Dobrinski was sponsored by Remington, Elite Shotguns, Grant County Farm & Livestock Bureau, and 7E Custom Leather.
Tobe McSpadden was sponsored by Smith Ford and Silver Power Sports.
The families of both athletes extend their sincere appreciation to these sponsors for supporting Chase and Tobe and helping provide them with the opportunity to compete at a world-class tournament.
Silver City Has Plenty to Celebrate
The accomplishments of Dobrinski and McSpadden are a source of pride for their families, sponsors and the entire Silver City community.
Dobrinski returned home as an ATA World Clay Target Champion in the Sub Junior category, after shooting a perfect 200/200 and then breaking another 75 targets in the championship shoot-off.
McSpadden returned home with Grand American Handicap by Elite Short Yardage Runner-Up honors, as well as the ATA 2600 High Overall Class C Championship, along with additional trophies and runner-up finishes.
Together, the two Silver City athletes brought home an impressive collection of honors from one of the biggest stages in their sport.
Their performances in Sparta demonstrate the dedication and determination of two young athletes representing their hometown on a national and world championship stage — giving Silver City and Grant County plenty of reason to be proud
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