Jenni Clark is 19, shoots a Beretta in competitions and has a plan for her life. Currently, this Texas teen attends college and studies business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in management. “I’ll graduate in May of 2016 and I would love to head back home to be near my family, but if the opportunity presents itself to start my career elsewhere, I wouldn’t miss it,” said Jenni.
The WON: How long have you been shooting and what do you shoot competitively?
Jenni: I have been shooting competitively for 8 years. I usually compete in Sporting Clays and Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse (FITASC), but have been competitive in International Trap as well. I also participate in collegiate level competitions, which include American Skeet and Trap, International Skeet & Trap and Sporting Clays.
The WON: What Beretta gun do you shoot in competition?
Jenni: I shoot a DT11.
The WON: How long have you been shooting for Beretta?
Jenni: I’ve been with Beretta for 4 years.
The WON: What do you tell women when they ask you why you shoot competitively?
Jenni: Not only is the feeling of blowing stuff up extremely empowering, but for me, I know I can be a good shot if I do my absolute best. When I do my best, I can give the boys in the sport a run for their money. In the predominantly male world of competitive shooting, women not only doing well for themselves, but also, beating those men is incredible!
The WON: What’s the best way for a woman to get into the shooting sports?
Jenni: Get in touch with your local gun clubs. Most of them have leagues, shooting clubs, or club pros who can get you started in the right direction. If you’re not sure how to get in contact with them, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. I absolutely love encouraging women to give shooting a try!
The WON: Why do you like your Beretta?
Jenni: Other than Beretta being the oldest (and best) gun manufacturing company in the world, I love mine because I know what that gun can do for me and my game, and it does it every time. I’ve never been able to blame a bad day of shooting on “Oh, my gun messed me up.”
The WON: What do you like to do when you’re not shooting?
Jenni: I grew up in small town southeast Texas and I’ve always had strong interests in hunting, fishing, mudding, and pretty much anything having to do with the outdoors. Now that I live in the big city of San Antonio for school, my free time is taken up by studying, shooting and work. Every time I get the chance, I head to my family’s ranch in south Texas for some relaxation in the country. I grew up hunting south Texas whitetail and quail, and fishing in the Redfish Bay with my grandad. I also love fishing up at Lake Sam Rayburn with my daddy.
The WON: What are your plans spring competitions?
Jenni: The first major shoot on my calendar is the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Collegiate National tournament in late March. The Trinity Skeet and Trap team is currently training to do well in that competition. I am also super excited for the Professional Sporting Clays Association (PSCA) Pro Tour to get started in April! In between are some smaller competitions around Texas that I love getting to go to, as well.
The WON: Where do you see yourself in this industry in 10 years?
Jenni: Right now it’s very hard to tell with how many crazy awesome opportunities that are in the shooting world. The PSCA is about to completely blow up into a huge opportunity for all shooters and we’re hoping will become the next PGA Tour. Among my collegiate competitions, the PSCA and other endeavors of mine, I see bountiful room for my place in the industry to grow and change for the better. I just hope I can find a way to help further the sport and give others to come the same (if not better) opportunities that I had.
Learn more about Jenni at Beretta. Visit Jenni’s “picks” in the Beretta shop.
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
