By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
COLO SPRGS, CO (Aug 7, 2025) – USA Shooting rifle, pistol and shotgun athletes are headed to Asunción, Paraguay, for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games, Aug. 9–13, with Braden Peiser leading Team USA into the opening ceremony as a flag bearer.
“It is certainly an honor,” said Peiser. “I never considered the possibility of it before, but I know I will take advantage of the opportunity and the experience the best I can.”
Held every four years, the Junior Pan American Games features athletes from across North, Central and South America. The following USA Shooting athletes will be representing Team USA:
Rifle
- Elijah Spencer, Alaska Fairbanks athlete
- Isabella Baldwin, U.S. Naval Academy Athlete
- Griffin Lake, West Virginia University Athlete
- Braden Peiser, University of Kentucky Athlete
Pistol
- Suman Sanghera
- Sneha Gupta
- Marcus Klemp, The Ohio State University Athlete
- Nathan Lim
Shotgun
- Gracie Hensley
- Alishia “Fayth” Layne
- Ava Downs, Hillsdale College Athlete
- Carey Garrison
- Aidin Burns
- Westley Kiter
- Kaleb Horinek
- Tony Meola
Junior athletes, 21 years of age or younger, from 41 countries will be participating across the city of Asunción in various Olympic sports. The shooting sports consist of the following events:
- Men’s and Women’s 10m Air Rifle
- Mixed Team 10m Air Rifle
- Men’s and Women’s 10m Air Pistol
- Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol
- Men’s and Women’s Skeet
- Men’s and Women’s Trap
- Mixed Team Trap
Athletes who earn a gold medal will also secure a by-name quota spot for the 2027 Pan American Games in the event in which they medaled.
For results and competition updates, follow USA Shooting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.