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U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Shotgun Team

Sgt. Samantha Simonton

Sgt. Simonton was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She began shooting international skeet in 2015 under the direction of Craig Hancock, father of four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Vincent Hancock. Upon graduating high school, Simonton moved to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Simonton lived and trained there for four and half years prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army.

During her time in Colorado Springs, she earned a Bronze Medal at the Junior World Championships in 2017, set the women’s qualification world record in 2019, and won a Silver Medal at the Junior World Cup in 2019. Simonton also finished with a Bronze Medal at the 2020 Olympic Trials, making her the first alternate for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

She joined the U.S. Army in January 2022 and shipped to Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Simonton attended Combat Medic Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. After completion of initial training in June 2022, Simonton was assigned to the USAMU Shotgun Team.

After her time in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Simonton hopes to commission and attend medical school. She is currently attending Auburn University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science.

Competitive Shooting Awards

 

2025

National Skeet Champion, USA Shooting Championships

Silver Medal, Women’s Skeet, World Cup Cyprus

Silver Medal, Women’s Skeet, World Cup Lima

 

2024

Gold Medal, Women’s Skeet, World Cup Cairo

 

2023

Gold Medal, Women’s Skeet, ISSF World Championships

 

2022

USA Shooting National Team

World Championships Team

Bronze Medal, Women’s Skeet Team, World Championships

Bronze Medal, Women’s Skeet, President’s Cup