Several students will participate in a state FFA trap shooting contest next weekend, but have been practicing at the American Legion and competing in some contests since September.

Sophomores, Blake Broderson, Seth Eckhoff, freshmen Cash Miller, King Archer, Ryan Burks, Rusty Johnson, Kaylee Moody, Lee Newell, and Juniors Derek Wright and Shawn Riggs have all been part of the team during the year. They have had one shoot in Cole Camp before the district shoot on the weekend of March 28. Rusty Johnson, Derek Wright, Kaylee Moody, Shawn Riggs, and Lee Newell all competed. Shawn Riggs, Derek Wright, King Archer, Kaylee Moody, Lee Newell, Rusty Johnson, Ryan Burkes, and Seth Eckhoff have all qualified for state.

“I did good at districts except I had the wrong bullets for the gun i was shooting.” said Kaylee Moody. “Being the only girl on the team is weird, fun, and exciting.”

The participants report that the sport takes a lot of practice.

“Finding a good, comfortable shooting stance can be difficult because everybody has a different gun so no two people stand the same way. Trap shooting can be especially difficult to anybody who is a beginner, it isn’t an easy thing to catch onto for everybody and that can be stressful when everybody else around you is catching on easily.” said Broderson.  “The feeling you get when you start busting one clay after another, it’s gotta be the best feeling in the world.”

This is the second year FFA has hosted a trap shooting team.

“The team is coming along, we have a lot of young shooters, and they are really progressing.” said FFA Advisor and coach Stan Adler.

Adler said he has seen shooters improve significantly over the year.

“Coaching the trap shooting team is something different, and I like shooting. Any kid can be involved and can do well and excel. Any kid can learn to be a good shooter. I would love to see more girls come out and shoot with us, but trap shooting is only for FFA members.”