Texan Rural County Athlete Books Ticket to Paris Olympics 2024: “Nerves of Steel”

For the past week, the Tucson Trap & Skeet Club has been abuzz as the shotgun Paris Olympics Trials take precedence. The best of the nation’s athletes in trap, and skeet have blazed through 5 days of qualifying rounds in vying for a coveted spot on the roster. Amidst the run of veterans and budding names, 20-year-old Ryann Phillips held ground in delivering a first for her native.

Ryann Phillips began shooting as a kid in 4-H in Gail. The youngster wished to give up as soon as she started. However, thanks to a little push from her mother, the trap shooter hopped from one event to another in triumph to ultimately fetch herself a spot on the Paris Olympics roster.

No.3 to right atop Paris Olympics roster

Entering the week-long event on the 12th of March, Ryann Phillips ranked 31st in the world and third in the nation in trap shooting. Having previously made the National Junior Trap team and triumphed over the Olympic Trap National Championship, the 20-year-old was a worthy prospect heading into the trails. She had to be one of the top 2 finishers by Saturday to make it to the Paris Olympics roster and 5 days into the event, she was.

“A big first for Borden County. Ryann Phillips has made the 2024 Olympic Team in trap shooting. Focus and nerves of steel. Congratulations Ryann!” the county wrote in pride following the win. Ryann Phillips recorded 453 points to earn the No. 1 spot. Rachel Tozier took the next position to round up the women’s trap quota with 452. As for men’s Derrick Mein and Will Hinton went 471 and 460 respectively.

Ryann Phillips is currently a student at Texas A&M Corpus Christi where she pursues a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Balancing school and athletics, the 20-year-old has risen to carry ahead incomplete tasks as she walks toward the Paris Olympics.

Ryann Phillips carrying the dreams ahead

Ryann Phillips, who has now qualified for the Paris Olympics, was in third grade when she first enrolled in a trap shooting class. She was introduced to the sport by her mother who previously trained in the sport herself. “No matter what was happening in my mom’s life, she took me to every practice, paid for every piece of equipment, and made sure I had what I needed to succeed,” Phillips reveals.

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Even when Ryann home ‘almost willing to give up,’ as a kid, it was her mother who helped her through. Since then, the trap shooter has found continued help along the way to a path she hadn’t foreseen. Phillips has been grateful for all the support at her university and beyond. “Invaluable,” she calls it. Staying staunch on her path, the shooter has learnt, “If you really want something, you have to go for it.” And here she heads to proudly represent her nation at the Paris Olympics.

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