Morgan high student hits the target to win a world championship

Being escorted into Morgan by the Morgan Sheriff is generally reserved for state champs; however, Morgan’s Sheriff's office found it appropriate and a privilege to escort the 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion Trap Shooter.

Kyler Porter, the son of Derrick and Nicole Porter, a recent graduate of Morgan High School started shooting when he was 10 years old, learning from his dad.

During his sophomore year of high school, Kyler shot for the MHS Rodeo Club, then during his junior and senior year he was part of the Spiker’s Rodeo Team.

Kyler won the Utah Top Gun $1,000 Annie last year. He won several High School Rodeo's over the season as well as finishing fourth in the Utah High School Rodeo Finals. He finished in the top 10 at various shooting events within the Utah Youth Education Shooting Sports as well as Lettering in trap shooting within the UYESS.

Competing in 27 regular-season high school rodeos all over the state of Utah from August 2022 to May 2023, he finished in the top three in almost every rodeo. In high school rodeo, shooters earn points every rodeo for placing in the top 10.

On the morning of his high school graduation, Kyler broke his ankle which meant he not only went into the Utah High School Rodeo State Finals in June leading the trap shooting with 66.5 out of 70 points, which is the most a competitor can earn, but was forced to shoot on one leg. Despite the challenge Kyler faced, he still shot well enough to clench the fourth-place spot in Utah to earn him a trip to Nationals.

The 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo took place in Gillette, Wyo., July 16-22. High school students from all 50 US states, Canada, Mexico and Australia competed in several rodeo events with Kyler competing in trap shooing against 138 shooters.

“It was a dream come true,” said Kyler. “My goal ever since I started shooting was to become a National Champion and to achieve that was a feeling I will never forget. I got to compete on the biggest stage in High School Rodeo with two of my best friends Hunter Lopshire and Wyatt Cowles. Myself, Hunter and Wyatt have been shooting together for a few years and to all qualify for Nationals was the greatest thing ever.”

First and foremost, Kyler says he credits his parents for helping him get to this point. “They have spent countless hours driving me to practice, competitions, and chasing ammo.” They have been my number one supporters and have always believed in me and never let me give up. I can never repay them for everything they have done for me.”

Pushing him to be his best, Hunter and Wyatt and their families always supported Kyler and cheered him on.

Kyler commented that Tony Campbell was always going out of his way to make sure he had somewhere to practice, making sure he was ready for a competition and was one of his biggest fans. 

He also wants to thank the Brierley & Cottam families for running an awesome shooting program in the Utah High School Rodeo Association, the Ogden Gun Club, the Ogden Clay Dusters, Spikers High School Rodeo Team, & Morgan High School Rodeo Team. “There are so many people to thank that supported me and helped me along the way. I couldn't have done it without any of them.” 

Kyler's mom Nicole wants her son to know, "Unbelievable! I knew in my heart you could do it! I am so proud!!"

"I always knew my son could shoot very well but to do what he did on the biggest stage he has ever been on was amazing, said his dad Derrick. “He shot 200 straight and never missed a single target! I am so very proud of you and all the work you put in to achieve your goal." λ