Cody Stanford, a young sporting clays shooter from Clarksville, Tennessee, has made significant strides in his sport since first encountering it as a sixth-grader. His journey is marked by dedication, passion, and a continuous drive to improve both his technical and mental game. I first met Cody Stanford at the 2024 Gator Cup held at Backwoods Quail Club in South Carolina and was impressed from the start. A great young man with a passion for the sport and the commitment to succeed to back it up. I look forward to seeing more things to come from him but lets get into his journey.
Early Beginnings
“In 6th grade, my dad took me and my brother to an
introduction to Sporting Clays held at the Montgomery County Sporting Complex,
and I was hooked,” Cody recalls. “Watching the clays break was awesome.” This
initial exposure sparked a passion that would shape his athletic pursuits. Cody
was fortunate enough to attend a school with a shooting team, and he joined it
in April 2021.
Recognizing the importance of proper training, Cody took
beginner lessons from John Michael Baggott, a respected skeet shooter in
Montgomery County. These lessons laid the foundation for his future success.
His competitive journey began in September 2021 when he entered the National
Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) and participated in his first tournament
later that year.
Photo Credit: Kristin Stanford & Little Trapper Inc.
Advancing Skills and Finding Mentors
In 2022, Cody sought advanced training to refine his
skills. He started taking lessons from Terry Hetrick at Nashville Gun Club for
trap and skeet and from Todd Hitch for sporting clays. These lessons were
pivotal in enhancing his technical abilities and understanding of the sport. A
significant turning point came when a gentleman at the Nashville Gun Club
recommended Cody’s father contact Wendall Cherry, a renowned coach. “The first
lesson was really intimidating but productive, and Wendall remains my coach,
mentor, and hero to this day,” Cody says. Wendall Cherry’s mentorship has been
instrumental in elevating Cody’s game, focusing on both technical skills and
the crucial mental aspect of shooting.
Regular Practice and Local Competitions
Cody’s practice regimen is rigorous and consistent. He
practices about two to three times a week at local sporting clay spots near his
home in Clarksville, including Cross Creek Clays, Montgomery County Gun Club,
and Nashville Gun Club. This regular practice has been key to his rapid
improvement and success in various competitions.
Cody’s first full year of shooting was spent with the
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and in local tournaments around
Tennessee. In 2023, he began competing in more challenging and prestigious
shoots, such as the Southeastern Regional in Georgia, the Gator Cup in South
Carolina, and the Gamaliel Cup in Georgia. Cody performed admirably, winning
the Sporting Clay prelim and securing second place in the Sub-Junior Sporting
Clays at the Southeastern Regional. While other tournaments presented tougher
challenges, they provided invaluable experience and opportunities to improve
his scores. Looking ahead, Cody plans to participate in even more tournaments,
including the US Open, Gamebore Challenge in Georgia, Twilight Classic in
Georgia, and the South Carolina State shoot.
Photo Credit: Kristin Stanford
The Joy of Shooting
“What I love about sporting clays is breaking targets,
especially when you dust one of them—it is a thing of beauty,” Cody shares. The
community of shooters also adds to his enjoyment of the sport. “Everyone is
friendly and trying to help each other out. There is still competition, but it
is friendly competition.”
Cody’s journey has also been marked by his evolving choice of equipment. He started with his dad’s Browning Gold Trigger Turkey gun with a 28" barrel. After his first year, he upgraded to a Browning 725, which served him well for the next two years. To achieve his dream of owning a top-tier sporting clay gun, Cody saved all his earnings from mowing lawns, working at Cross Creek Clays, and winning tournaments. His hard work paid off when he finally purchased a Perazzi HTS, his dream gun. His preferred shells are Fiocchi Crushers 1300 fps, which complement his shooting style and equipment.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite his successes, Cody acknowledges that his biggest
challenge is the mental game. “I am learning to let go of a miss and keep
shooting to break the bird versus not to miss. Carrying that miss to the next
station only costs you more birds,” he explains. Each tournament is an
opportunity to reinforce this lesson. Wendall Cherry’s advice, “You only learn
from failure,” and “If you aren’t going to do it with heart and passion, don’t
do it,” resonates deeply with Cody and motivates him every time he steps onto a
course.
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Favorite Aspects and Future Goals
Cody’s favorite target to break is a Chandelle, and his
favorite station involves long birds. He is also keen to gain more experience
with FITASC targets, which present unique challenges and learning
opportunities. His ultimate dream is to become a top shooter and coach new
shooters, sharing his knowledge and passion for the sport.
Cody’s journey is a testament to the power of dedication, passion, and mentorship in achieving excellence. His story inspires aspiring shooters and highlights the importance of community and continuous improvement in sporting clays. With his unwavering commitment and love for the sport, Cody Stanford is well on his way to becoming a prominent figure in the world of sporting clays.
Awards and Achievements
Cody’s talent and dedication have earned him numerous awards and accolades. In 2022, he was the Sub-Junior Champion and Overall Champion in the Tennessee Points Race. The following year, he won several titles, including the Tennessee SCTP State Champion in sporting clays for the Intermediate Advanced division and the High Overall (HOA) Intermediate Advanced Champion. At the AIM Nationals, he was the HOA runner-up for Sporting Clays and Skeet combined and the Sporting Clays Runner-Up HOA. Additionally, he secured first place in the Sporting Clays prelim and second place in the Sub-Junior category at the Southeastern Regional. His impressive achievements also include being named to the 2023 Krieghoff All-American Team as a Sub-Junior Third Team member, the 2023 Perazzi 12 Gauge All-American Sub-Junior Third Team, and the Tennessee Wildlife Federation Scholastic All-State Team.
Tournaments Awards
2022 TN Points Race, Sub junior Champion and Overall
Champion
2023 TN SCTP state Champion, sporting clays Intermediate
Advanced
2023 TN SCTP State, HOA Intermediate Advanced Champion
2023 AIM Nationals HOA runner-up Sporting Clays and Skeet
combined
2023 AIM Nationals Sporting Clays Runner-Up HOA
2023 SE Regional Sporting Clays prelim A First Place
2023 SE Regional Sporting Clays-Sub Junior 2nd place
Other Achievements
2023 Krieghoff All-American Team-Sub junior Third Team
2023 Perazzi 12 Gauge All-American Sub Junior Third Team
2023 Tennessee Wildlife Federation Scholastic All State
Team
Photo Credit: Kristin Stanford
Equipment and Training
Cody’s journey has also been marked by his evolving
choice of equipment. Starting with his dad’s Browning Gold Trigger Turkey gun
with a 28" barrel, Cody quickly realized the importance of having the
right gear. After his first year, he upgraded to a Browning 725, which served
him well for the next two years. This gun allowed him to improve his accuracy
and consistency significantly.
However, Cody’s ambition and dedication led him to aim
higher. To achieve his dream of owning a top-tier sporting clay gun, he saved
all his earnings from mowing lawns, working at Cross Creek Clays, and winning
tournaments. His hard work paid off when he finally purchased a Perazzi HTS,
his dream gun. This high-quality equipment has been instrumental in his recent
successes. His preferred shells are Fiocchi Crushers 1300 fps, which complement
his shooting style and equipment perfectly.
Photo Credit: Kristin Stanford
Mental Game and Coaching
One of the most challenging aspects of shooting sports is
the mental game. Cody acknowledges this and continually works on improving his
mental toughness. “I am learning to let go of a miss and keep shooting to break
the bird versus not to miss. Carrying that miss to the next station only costs
you more birds,” he explains. This ability to maintain focus and composure
under pressure is crucial for success in sporting clays.
Cody’s coach, Wendall Cherry, has been instrumental in
helping him develop.
What amazing achievements for someone so young.