Krieghoff International, Inc. was proud to be part of another exciting week at the 2026 Pennsylvania State Shoot, one of the country's largest state trapshooting competitions. From championship titles to the annual Krieghoff Challenge and a Hall of Fame induction, there was plenty to celebrate.
Leading into the PA State Shoot, during the annual Colonial Classic, Team Krieghoff's Wesley Beaver won the All Around Championship with a score of 389. Additional Team Krieghoff all around winners included Joseph Breck, who earned the Junior Gold Championship, Michael Blaisdell, who secured the Veteran title, and Deborah Ohye Neilson, who claimed the Lady 2 title. In the AIM High Overall results, Team Krieghoff continued to add to its trophy count, with Beaver earning the Class AAA title, Breck taking Junior Gold, Blaisdell winning Veteran, and Neilson winning Lady 2.
During the Pennsylvania State Shoot, one of the event's signature competitions, the Krieghoff Handicap event, which drew 828 competitors, all vying for the chance to win a new K-80 Trap Special. Following the Handicap event, 147 competitors whose scores ended in the lucky numbers 2 or 5, selected at random, advanced to the Krieghoff Challenge shoot-off.
After the opening 10-target round, just 15 shooters remained on the line without dropping a bird. The field narrowed to three finalists, Clare Schaffer, Joseph Bowers, and Nathan Brandenberger, who each shot a perfect 10 in Round 3. In the final round, Bowers and Brandenberger each broke 9 of 10 targets, while Schaffer, of Newtown, PA, delivered a perfect 10 to claim the 2026 Krieghoff Challenge title and the new K-80 Trap Special.
Schaffer's win was especially significant, as she became only the second woman to win the Krieghoff Challenge in the event's 22-year history, joining Devi Rathod, who won in 2007. Krieghoff congratulates all the competitors who participated in this year's event.
Team Krieghoff shooters continued to collect trophies throughout the Pennsylvania State Shoot, including individual category and class wins, as well as both the High Overall and All-Around championships.
Ian Darroch of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, won the Resident High Overall trophy with a score of 1039. Additional Team Krieghoff winners included Joseph Breck, Resident Junior Gold Champion, Frank Pascoe, Resident Senior Veteran Champion, Deborah Ohye Neilson, Resident Lady 2 Champion, and Michael Blaisdell, Non-Resident Veteran Champion.
Wesley Beaver earned the Resident All Around trophy with a score of 384. Team Krieghoff also claimed additional category wins with Joseph Breck as Resident Junior Gold Champion, Frank Pascoe as Resident Senior Veteran Champion, and Deborah Ohye Neilson as Resident Lady 2 Champion.
During the event, a Krieghoff Factory Gunsmith was on-site to provide annual service, repairs, and gun adjustments, helping ensure shooters had the support they needed all week. Demo guns were also available for attendees to try, giving shooters the opportunity to experience Krieghoff shotguns firsthand.
Beyond the competition, this year's Pennsylvania State Shoot also marked an especially meaningful moment for the trapshooting community with the induction of Team Krieghoff's Don Neilson Jr. and Deborah Ohye Neilson into the Pennsylvania Trapshooting Hall of Fame.
Their induction recognizes decades of dedication, leadership, and contributions to the sport. Through their accomplishments on the range and their lasting impact on the shooting community, Don and Debbie have helped shape Pennsylvania trapshooting and inspire generations of shooters.
Krieghoff International congratulates all Team Krieghoff shooters on their achievements and extends special congratulations to Don and Debbie Neilson on this honor.
About Krieghoff International: Dieter Krieghoff, fourth generation of the Krieghoff gun making family, established Krieghoff International, Inc. in the United States in 1986. Originally founded as a European hunting gun manufacturer in 1886, Krieghoff has evolved into one of the top names worldwide in competition and field shotguns, as well as hunting rifles. With a reputation for reliability, longevity and outstanding customer service, Krieghoff firearms are the choice of champions. Located in Ottsville, PA, Krieghoff is the sole importer and main service center in North America. For more information visit www.krieghoff.com.