By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
COLO SPRGS, CO (Aug 19, 2025) – With unmatched determination and pride, USA Shooting’s junior athletes made their mark in Asunción, Paraguay, at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games from Aug. 9-12. Their record-breaking performances and medal-winning runs did not just bring glory home, they signaled that Team USA’s future is brighter than ever as the journey to Los Angeles 28 begins.
Team USA’s juniors dominated the competition, earning more shooting sport medals than any other nation with a remarkable total of 15, nearly four times the haul of the second-place team, which finished with just four. Along the way, they broke six records and secured four by name quota slots for the 2027 Pan American Games. Beyond the numbers, the team demonstrated the focus, consistency, and composure that define champions, qualities that will serve them well as they continue their international careers.
Junior rifle, pistol, and shotgun athletes produced an outstanding performance at the games, going head-to-head with competitors from across North, Central, and South America and proving the strength behind the red, white, and blue.
Even more impressive than the medal haul is the fact that every U.S. athlete in competition was 21 years old or younger. The depth of the junior team was on full display, with athletes rising to the challenge and delivering under pressure.
Four athletes claimed championship titles: Suman Sanghera, Braden Peiser, Ava Downs, and Isabella Baldwin, each adding a prestigious accomplishment to their growing shooting careers.
Before claiming gold, Peiser’s week in Paraguay began with an unforgettable honor: serving as one of the Team USA flag bearers in the opening ceremony. With the American flag in hand, he led athletes from every U.S. sport into the stadium, setting the tone for a competition filled with pride and world-class performances.
Sanghera and Peiser did not just win gold, they rewrote the record books at the Junior Pan American Games. Sanghera put forth a dominant performance in Women’s 10m Air Pistol, breaking the qualification and finals records, and later teamed up with pistol athlete Marcus Klemp to set a new Mixed Team Air Pistol qualification record. Peiser, a University of Kentucky rifle athlete, matched that level of excellence in Men’s 10m Air Rifle, shattering both the qualification and finals records with precision and composure. Klemp also etched his name in history by breaking the Men’s 10m Air Pistol qualification record by six points before joining Sanghera to claim gold in the mixed team final.
Shotgun athlete Ava Downs was among several multi-medalists for Team USA. Downs was crowned champion in Women’s Trap and teamed up with Kaleb Horinek to earn silver in Mixed Trap Team. Downs competes for Hillsdale College, an invaluable USA Shooting gold-level sponsor. Hillsdale has been a committed partner in developing young talent, hosting premier events such as the Shotgun Junior Olympic Championships and National Championships, which provide athletes like Downs the opportunity to excel on the international stage.
The air rifle team delivered a standout performance, with every athlete earning two medals each and the U.S. claiming gold in all three events. All of the U.S. competitors are NCAA rifle athletes, underscoring the collegiate program’s role as a key pipeline for developing world-class junior talent.
From the opening ceremony to the final shot fired, Team USA’s junior athletes left their mark on the 2025 Junior Pan American Games. Shotgun athletes accounted for seven of the team’s 15 medals, while rifle athletes brought home six, showcasing the depth of talent across multiple disciplines.
See all medals earned below:
- Suman Sanghera: Gold, Women’s 10m Air Pistol
- Aidin Burns: Silver, Men’s Skeet
- Gracie Hensley: Silver, Women’s Skeet
- Alishia “Fayth” Layne: Bronze, Women’s Skeet
- Braden Peiser: Gold, Men’s 10m Air Rifle
- Griffin Lake: Silver, Men’s 10m Air Rifle
- Ava Downs: Gold, Women’s Trap
- Kaleb Horinek: Bronze, Men’s Trap
- Isabella Baldwin: Gold, Women’s 10m Air Rifle
- Elijah Spencer: Silver, Women’s 10m Air Rifle
- Suman Sanghera & Marcus Klemp: Gold, Mixed Air Pistol Team
- Carey Garrison & Tony Meola: Gold, Mixed Trap Team
- Ava Downs & Kaleb Horinek: Silver, Mixed Trap Team
- Braden Peiser & Isabella Baldwin: Gold, Mixed Air Rifle Team
- Griffin Lake & Elijah Spencer: Bronze, Mixed Team Air Rifle
View all official results here.
Athletes who earned a gold medal in an individual event also secured a by-name quota spot for the 2027 Pan American Games in the event in which they medaled. See below for athletes who earned quotas:
- Suman Sanghera: Women’s 10m Air Pistol
- Braden Peiser: Gold, Men’s 10m Air Rifle
- Ava Downs: Gold, Women’s Trap
- Isabella Baldwin: Gold, Women’s 10m Air Rifle
The performances in Asunción were more than a snapshot of success; they were a preview of the road ahead. These young athletes have shown they have the talent, discipline, and drive to compete with the world’s best, and their momentum will carry them into the next stages of international competition on the journey to Los Angeles 2028.
This success would not be possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors and partners, including The NRA Foundation, Hillsdale College, International Order of T. Roosevelt, Safari Club International, and The Hal & Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation, among many others. Whether through financial contributions, providing world-class training facilities, hosting elite competitions, or supplying essential resources, their support helps our junior athletes compete at the highest level. This collective commitment plays a vital role in developing the talent and confidence needed for Team USA to excel on the international stage.
You can also play a direct role in helping our athletes succeed. By becoming a member of USA Shooting, you provide essential resources and opportunities that allow these young competitors to train, travel, and perform at their best. Together, we can stand behind Team USA as they prepare for the sport’s biggest stages. Join USA Shooting today and be part of their journey to Los Angeles 2028.
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