Des Moines Clay Crushers

The Des Moines Clay Crushers is the sponsored SCTP of New Pioneer Gun Club which

consists of student shooters from 4th – 12th grade from multiple local school districts. The

Clay Crushers have a phenomenal history of winning at the local, state, and national levels

in Trap, American Skeet, International Skeet, Sporting Clays, and 5 stand Events. Many

of the athletes continuing to compete at the collegiate level as well as through

organizations and competitions such as: USA Shooting, the Olympic Trials, ATA, NSSA

and NSCA. Several former athletes have gone on to win collegiate team and individual

National Championships after graduating from the Des Moines Clay Crusher shooting

program. Former team members have also gone on to coach shooters, conduct clinics, work in the shooting industry, and manage gun clubs including NPGC.

The Clay Crushers have represented New Pioneer Gun Club across the country since the

team began in 2006. Individual Iowa State champions from DMCC are Brendan Appel

(Trap), Kayle Eivins (Sporting Clays), Raylee Bishop (Trap & Sporting Clays), Baliey

Oliver (I-Skeet) Mathew Brindley (I-Skeet) and Elizabeth Faust (Skeet). The team has

earned multiple State Championships and top three squad and team placings in Iowa SCTP

League and at State competitions in Intermediate, Jr Varsity, and Varsity competitions in

Trap, Sporting Clays, Skeet & I-Skee (too many to list here). On the National level the

team has earned top three squad medals in Skeet, I-Skeet, and Handicap Trap at the SCTP

National Championships. Earning an Individual SCTP National Champion was Will

Thomas in I-skeet. Also Chad Gleason and Mathew Brindley receiving individual top 5

medals in I-Skeet at Nationals. The Squad of Brendan Appel, Cody Hauschel, and Chad

Gleason won Best SCTP Varsity Squad in 2009 at the National Championships. In 2021

the squad of Mathew Brindley, Jake Campbell, Raylee Bishop, Elizabeth Faust, and

Jackson Miller surprised everyone earning 3rd Place Varsity Handicap Trap Squad at

Nationals. Many Athletes from the team have been named to the National SCTP All State Team at the National Championships as well as earning SCTP All American Awards and Scholarships. 

Our team from New Pioneer Gun Club in Waukee Iowa has represented us well in all events with the help of amazing coaches and volunteers. Past head Coaches of the Clay Crushers have included Ben Berka, Guy Thomas, Laura Leszczynski, and Chris Brindley. With help from assistant coaches like Dixon Appel, Kurt & Martia Vogel, Dave Von Feldt, Doug Brower, Tom Hausechel, Dave Powers, Ben Parlett, Todd Fredderes, Dave Eivins, Gordy McKean, Phil Ernst, Lakota Adams, Chris Campbell, and James Faust. This year’s Des Moines Clay Crusher team consists of 25 athletes from 8 different schools in the area. Home meets are May 11th and

June 1st the team would like to ask if anyone is interested in helping at the events or coaching to please reach out the team.

Many of our Des Moines Clay Crusher team members, coaches and parents can be seen volunteering at events around the club when not shooting at practice or in competitions. The team recently became 501c3. If you are interested in learning more about the current team or to donate to the team, please contact current head coach Harley Gorter at 515-689-1453 or email hgorter@firsthorizon.com.

Keep an eye out for the Blue and Orange Vests and team gear of the Des Moines Clay Crushers and for their continued success down range. Thank you to Guy Thomas, Susan Brindley & Chris Brindley for historical data of the teams successes. Pictures below of current and past Des Moines Clay Crusher Team members and coaches.

If you are interested in learning more about the current team or donating to the team, please contact current head coach Harley Gorter at 515-689-1453 or email hgorter@firsthorizon.com.