What began as a hobby to share with her husband has turned into something quite special for a Busti resident.
Tiffany Decker, a native of Jamestown who began trap shooting with her husband James back in 1993, has gotten so good at the sport, in fact, that she was recently named an Amateur Trap Association's (ATA) first-team All-American for the Lady I division.
That's pretty impressive stuff, especially when one considers that outside of an induction into the ATA's Hall of Fame, a selection to the All-American team is the highest award a trapshooter can earn.
Article Photos
Tiffany Decker of Busti shows off her trap shooting prowess that has made her an Amateur Trap Association first-team All-American for the Lady I division.
Photo courtesy of Mark Deprez
"I try to make the (All-American) team every year," Decker said, "and you accumulate points throughout the season so I had an idea that I had probably made the team (this year), but I was still very happy.
"It took a lot of practice (to get here)."
Indeed.
Decker notes that she is at the range twice a week, competes, along with her husband, in local leagues every Sunday and then, once the official season starts, is off hitting targets at competitions around the United States, including Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
It's the competition, Decker notes, that had her hooked right from the start.
"I've always liked sports," she said. "I like the competition and have also made a lot of friends in the process. Actually, that competition and friendship is a major part of (my) life now."
This is Decker's first time on the All-American team, but it is hardly the first time she's been recognized for her stellar ability to accurately, and repeatedly, aim, fire and break a 4inch disk travelling through the air at some 40 miles per hour.
In 2009 she was the New York State Trapshooting Champion and as such was recognized by the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. She has also been a Ladies (New York) State Singles Champion for the past four years, and was the captain (top scorer) for that team in both 2010 and 2012.
Despite yet another solid season in the books, Decker has no plans of slowing down. She and James will be off to Florida in March to kick off the 2013 season, with an eye on finding her name this time next year on that special list once again.
"From March to September," she said, "we'll be off every other weekend."