OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - For the first time in program history, William Woods University shotgun sports will get to compete in a conference championship, as the Heart of America Athletic Conference announced the sport's addition to its collection of 29 championship sports Tuesday.

The inaugural season of Heart of America Conference shotgun sports will feature seven competing schools:

• Grand View University
• Hastings College
• Midland University
• McPherson College
• Missouri Valley College
• William Penn University
• William Woods University

The first-ever Heart of America Conference Shotgun Sports Championship will take place March 7-8 at Powder Creek Shooting Park in Lenexa, Kansas. The championship will include trap, skeet and sporting clays, with the high overall team being crowned the conference champion.

"The addition of shotgun sports reflects our commitment to growth and innovation within small college athletics," Heart Commissioner Nik Rule said in the conference's release. "These institutions are investing in the sport, and we're proud to support them with a championship experience that will add value to the student-athlete experience."

This will be William Woods' fourth season, and the Owls' first with Connor Hess at the helm.