Trap Team shoots through successful season
Trap shooting, not a sport most have heard about, but in fact is an extremely popular sport across the state, country and world.
Trap shooting is a World Championship sport and an Olympic sport with close to 400 athletes competing from 108 different countries. The goal for athletes in trap shooting is to shoot pigeons, which are 4 inches long and 1 inch thick and flying through the air, with a shotgun. The sport requires a large amount of hand-eye coordination and mental focus.
The Stillwater’s trap shoot team consists of close to 150 athletes from all grades, that compete and strive to rack up the most points. The team practices twice a week in Hudson, in which they shoot to build up their individual and team scores.
“The best team members, the ones who score the most points, go to the State Trap Shoot competition where they compete against everyone from across the state,” senior Matthew Erickson said.
Trap shooting is a sport that welcomes anybody with an interest and the passion of the sport. No matter what the age, gender, skill level, background, or knowledge, everyone has a chance to pursue their interest for the sport.
From shootata.com, “Trap shooting’s continual growth and expanding popularity is due to the fact that people of all ages, incomes and abilities can compete. Nine year old boys shoot alongside 90 year old men.”
“My favorite part of the sport would either have to be the people I meet and interact with or the satisfaction of watching a pigeon explode,” junior Matt Paulson said.
The trap team is an independent sport that runs through Stillwater Area High School, they do not have any captains, but still fundraise to buy ammunition, pay for space at the local gun club where they practice, and buy the guns and equipment necessary to teach new athletes to the sport.
“We started preparing for the season a couple weeks before spring break, we did some fundraising so that we could buy ammunition for the team,” Paulson said.
The team of 150 is composed of extraordinary athletes of all ages, and has been ranked among the top teams at state for the past couple of years.
“In previous years Stillwater has done exceptionally well, ranking in the top third of most categories at state,” Paulson said.
Athletes build their expertise in the sport by practicing in weather conditions that are far from ideal, a gusty day, cold temperatures, cloudy sky. All these factors make shooting a pigeon more and more difficult.
“The most challenging part of the sport would be the weather and stress. It becomes much more difficult to shoot when you are shaking or covered in bulky clothes,” Paulson said.
Trap shoot not only helps athletes build their mental focus, but is a very rewarding sport that teaches discipline, hard work ethic and building relationships with others.
“My favorite part about trap shoot is getting to go out and shoot and meet new people, it’s a fun sport and I love doing it,” Erickson said.
Mikayla Erf is the daughter of David and Kathy Erf. She is currently active in 4-H, serving as a County Federation Officer. She is also active in FFA holding...