Women of Team Winchester: Meet Maddy Bernau, Olympic Trap Shooter

From shooting with 4-H to the Tokyo Olympics, she's a woman to watch!

by posted on October 8, 2020
Winchester Olympic Trap

Exciting news from the world of competitive shooting: Team USA Olympic trap shooter Maddy Bernau just joined the legendary clay-games shooters of Team Winchester. This young shooting phenomenon will compete alongside six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics...but here and now, she and Rhode continue their mission to serve as ambassadors for the Second Amendment and the shooting sports. 

Bernau, like many women who compete at this rarified level, started small. Her initiation into the world of shooting was her local 4-H club, beginning at the age of 12. Like many junior competitive shooters, she was instantly hooked by the focus, discipline and fun of shooting clay games. 

Naturally, you can't get to the Olympic level without a great deal of talent, but nurture matters as much as nature! She soon attended an SCTP development camp at the Olympic training center. From there, the path to the Olympics seemed inevitable.

Maddy began competing in international trap competitions, and quickly rose through the ranks by winning multiple junior and collegiate medals and competing internationally in Italy, Korea and Finland. At the 2020 Spring Selection Match, Bernau took the gold medal and qualified for a spot on the 2020 Olympic team.

“We’re very excited to have Maddy join Team Winchester and serve as an ambassador for our famous AA shotshells and the shooting sports industry,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “With her background of competing in clay target sports at a young age, she will serve as an excellent role model to new shooters.”
 

Latest

Deering Gun Shop Etiquette
Deering Gun Shop Etiquette

6 Gun Shop Etiquette Tips

Headed to the sporting goods store to look at guns? Here are a few tips that make for a successful trip.

Special Guests Announced at the 2025 NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction 

Held during the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, the Banquet & Auction is the premier shooting sports fundraising event of the year.

How to Slug a Rifle Barrel

In possession of your grandfather's old military rifle? Before you fire it, be sure you know the proper caliber. Here's how to find out.

The Armed Citizen® Reload Friday March 14, 2025

A quick-thinking woman was able to retrieve her AR-15 and chase off a home intruder.

Be SMART About Your Shooting Goals

You’ll never get anywhere in training if you don’t set goals. But not just any goals—they have to be SMART.

NRA Women on Target® Instructional Clinics: Shooting for Success

It's a new look and new leadership for NRA's women-specific firearm training.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.