Shooter Profile: Dalton Kirchhoefer

Dalton-Kirchoefer2Dalton Kirchhoefer is a three time member of the NSCA USA Sporting Clays Junior Team and attends the University of Wyoming (studying Mechanical Engineering) where he has competed on the UW Shotgun Team. He began shooting in 2010 at the age of 10 when he set up his first lesson with CG Pro Staff shooter, Bob Self, in Indiana. A few weeks later he joined Bob’s SCTP team and within 9 months Dalton won his first State Sporting Clays Rookie Competition. After years of participating in many other traditional sports, Sporting Clays instantly became his passion. After 2 years honing his skills with a 20 gauge, he moved up to a 12 gauge Caesar Guerini Summit Ascent. Since that purchase, Dalton’s passions for Clay Target Sports as well as his skills have grown immensely.

In 2013 his family moved to Colorado, expanding his opportunities to include training at the USA Olympic Training Center for Olympic Trap and Double Trap. A few years later Dalton upgraded to an Invictus Ascent, testing its versatility competing in Sporting Clays, 5-Stand, Super Sporting, FITASC, Skeet, Trap, Olympic Bunker Trap, and Olympic Double Trap. Coupled with consistent training and year-round practice, the versatility of the Caesar Guerini Invictus Ascent line has provided Dalton with a seamless transition between disciplines. The key elements to his success across disciplines are his passion, his drive, and his Caesar. No matter how or where the targets fly – his Caesar Guerini has never let him down.

Dalton has received coaching from Caesar Guerini ProStaff Mark Taylor, Jon Kruger, Wendell Cherry, and Olympic Shotgun coach Lloyd Woodhouse. Dalton currently practices at his home in Wyoming, and when he is not shooting Dalton likes to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and ski.

Disciplines: Sporting Clays, FITASC, 5-Stand, Super Sporting

Years Shooting: Dalton has been shooting for 12 years. NSCA Master Class

Accomplishments:

NSCA:
  • 2019, 2020, & 2021 USA Sporting Clays Junior Team
  • 2022 NSCA Junior All-American Teams: Krieghoff 1st Team, Perazzi 12 Gauge 1st Team, Blaser FITASC 1st Team
  • 2021 NSCA Junior All-American Teams: Krieghoff 1st Team, Perazzi 12 Gauge 1st Team, Blaser FITASC 2nd Team
  • 2020 NSCA Junior All-American Teams: Krieghoff 1st Team, Perazzi 12 Gauge 1st Team, Blaser FITASC 1st Team, Briley 20 Gauge 1st Team Captain
  • 2020 NSCA Wyoming State Sporting Clay Champion
  • 2019 NSCA Junior All-American Teams: Krieghoff 1st Team, Perazzi 12 Gauge 1st Team, Blaser FITASC 1st Team
  • 2019 NSCA Open All-American Team: Briley 20 Gauge 2nd Team
  • 2019 USA Sporting Clays Junior Team
  • Qualified for the 2018 PSCA Tour
  • 2018 NSCA Junior All-American Teams: Krieghoff 1st Team; 12 Gauge 1st Team; Blaser FITASC 1st Team; Briley 28 Gauge 2nd Team
  • 2018 NSCA Open All-American Teams: Briley 20 Gauge 3rd Team
  • 2018 NSCA Wyoming State Sporting Clay Champion
  • 2018 MEC Rocky Mountain Classic Main Event HOA
  • 2017 NSCA Sub Junior All-American Teams: Krieghoff 1st Team Captain; 12 Gauge 1st Team Captain; Blaser 12 Gauge FITASC 1st Team; Briley 28 Gauge 1st Team
  • 2016 NSCA CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR Sub Junior CHAMPION
  • 2016 NSCA Sub Junior All-American Teams: Sporting Clays Team; Sporting Clays 28 Gauge Team; FITASC 12 Gauge Team; Sporting Clays 12 Gauge Team
  • 2016 NSCA Colorado State Main Event Champion, High Over All (HOA), & High All Around (HAA) Champion (Youngest in Colorado History) Sub Jr CH: Pre-Lim, Main, 5-Stand, Super Sporting, 20 ga; 28 ga; 410.
  • 2015 K-Kup Sub Junior Champion at NSCA National Championship
  • 2015 Colorado State Sub Junior Champion: Pre-Lim; Main; 5-Stand; Super Sporting; 28 ga, 410 ga, & 12 ga
  • 2014 NSCA All-Region Team, West Region
  • 2014 Colorado State Sub Junior Champion: Pre-Lim; Main; FITASC; 5 stand; 20 ga, 28 ga, & 12 ga Sub Courses
  • 2013 NSCA Colorado All-State Team
  • 2013 NSCA Colorado State Sub Junior and Class Champion: Main Event & 12 gauge sub
SCTP:
  • 3-Time SCTP Sporting Clay National Champion 2016 – Varsity/Sporting Clay HOA 2015 – Junior Varsity 2014 – Intermediate Advanced
  • SCTP/NRA All-Scholastic Team Member 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
USA Shooting:
  • Silver Medal in Bunker Trap, and Bronze Medal in Double Trap; 2014 USAS Junior Olympic Nationals
  • Silver Medal at the 2014 Colorado State USAS JO Bunker Trap Championships.
  • 
Gold Medal in J3 Double Trap and Silver Medal in J3 Trap at the 2013 USAS Junior Olympic Nationals.
4-H Shooting Sports:
  • 2013 County Grand Champion in Sporting Clays and Skeet;
  • 2013 Colorado State Junior Champion in Sporting Clays;
  • 2013 Junior HOA Champion for Sporting Clay, Skeet, and Trap Combined.
Magazine Articles:
  • Clay Shooting USA; January – February 2018    Local Heroes by Dana Farrell
  • Clay Target Nation; November 2016.    Shooter Profile by Jarrod Spilger
What model do you use: What modifications:

Dalton shoots using a Caesar Guerini Invictus I Ascent with 32” barrels, custom fit stock and recoil reducer.

What do you like about your Caesar Guerini: How has it improved your shooting:

Moving to a 12 gauge at the age of 12 requires a shotgun that is manageable, has the ability to evolve with growth, and is reliable. The Caesar Guerini Summit Ascent’s stock and barrels are designed to balance perfectly allowing for a young shooter to easily remain on target. The adjustable trigger system and comb were key factors in choosing the Summit Ascent. Adjustments are easy and made frequently to keep up with his growth. These adjustments allowed for maximum utilization of his shotgun, and continued to accommodate him throughout years of physical and competitive development. The reliability of a competition shotgun is also a major factor.

Throughout the years the Caesar Guerini Summit Ascent he began shooting with, as well as his current gun the Caesar Guerini Invictus I Ascent, have never failed, and during competition where every target counts Dalton knows he can count on his equipment allowing him to focus on his abilities to achieve his goals.