SEDRO-WOOLLEY, WASHINGTON - The Scholastic Steel Challenge (SSC) announced that firearms maker Smith & Wesson has come on board as a major supporter of the new youth shooting program. Smith & Wesson has committed to donating 30 M&P pistols valued at over $20,000 which will be used in support packages to help new shooting teams get started in the program. The company will also offer special pricing on additional pistols to further assist teams as they grow.

The Scholastic Steel Challenge is a national team-oriented youth shooting program developed by the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) and funded in part by a grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The program is open to young men and women ages 14 to 20 and offers them the opportunity to compete as a four person team for a national title in the action pistol discipline of speed shooting.

""We are very excited to partner with SCSA and NSSF on this program. Shooting steel is one of the best ways to introduce new shooters to the action shooting sports, especially young men and women. Some of the greatest shooters in the world began as junior competitors and through the efforts of SSC, there is even greater opportunity for many more to enjoy this dynamic sport. We are proud to be a part of the Scholastic Steel Challenge Program and help speed shooting grow," said Paul Pluff, director of marketing and customer services for Smith & Wesson.

"Smith & Wesson is one of the leading companies promoting recreational and competitive shooting in America. Whether it's sponsoring world champion shooters like Jerry Miculek and Doug Koenig or introducing people to the shooting sports through the First Shots program, Smith & Wesson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to growing the shooting sports. We greatly appreciate their generous support and look forward to working with them and discovering a future Smith & Wesson champion amongst the SSC participants," said Scott Moore, director of SSC.

For more information on the Scholastic Steel Challenge and the Steel Challenge Shooting Association please visi www.SteelChallenge.com.

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About the SCSA: The Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) is the governing body of the sport of Speed Shooting and organizer of the Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championships. To learn more about the Steel Challenge Shooting Association and the Steel Challenge visit the Web site a www.steelchallenge.com. There you will find diagrams of the stages of fire, complete listing of past results, a list of past champions, world record times and more.