Cory’s Story

My childhood, like many people's, was not easy. Shooting was a luxury and if I wanted to be able to shoot the next tournament, I had no choice but to win the current one I was shooting to pay for the next entry fee. Times were tough, but it taught me many life lessons. ​ Just like any redneck kid, I feel like I was born with a firearm in my hand.

Plinking away with my Red Ryder BB gun, I soon fell in love with shotgun shooting. I found it was more fun to shoot moving targets rather than stationary targets. My dad, David Reaves, introduced me to clay shooting when I was 11 years old, and from there he felt that I needed to be proficient in trap & skeet first, before he let me on a sporting clay course.

I am thankful he taught me, at such a young age, to work hard for what I want. He always said, “you don’t belong on a sporting clays course until you can shoot 100 straight trap & skeet targets”. I believe his motive was to see how hard I would actually work at shooting and if I was willing to put in the time and effort it took to compete in sporting clays.

Once he saw the competitive drive and passion I exuded, he put me under the wing of legendary Dan Carlisle. From there, Dan established the mechanics and fundamentals of shooting that were necessary to be on the road to success.

A few additional influences that have impacted my life and shooting career are Anthony Matarese Jr., Craig Hill, Ed Arrighi and Brad Kidd Jr. I am forever grateful for them, along with everyone else that helped and believed in me along the way.

I never could have imagined shooting would take me to the places in life where it has.

Not only is it a great sport, it has led me to numerous opportunities providing some of the best sponsors, loyal friends, love of my life, Catherine ‘Arrighi” Kruse, the sweetest baby girl, Claire Elizabeth Kruse and a dream job with C&G Boats!

I couldn’t be more thankful God had this life cut out for me. I know He has used the shooting network to bring me all these amazing blessings.

Career Highlights

• 2019 World Sporting Champion
• 2019 Browning Briley Champion
• 2018 US Open Champion
• 4-Time Texas State Champion
• 2-Time National Champion (2012 & 2003)
• 2015 Browning Briley Champion
• 2014 US Open 5-Stand Champion
• 2014 PSCA Tour-2 Champion
• 2014 PSCA Champion of Champion’s HOA
• 2014 North American FTIASC World Champion
• 2008 World Sporting RU
• 2006 World Cup FITASC 3rd
• 2003 World FITASC Junior Champion