Trap Shooting at Potosi HS

By Elliot Haverland

When people think of sports, they usually jump straight to football or basketball. What people overlook is the sport of trap shooting. Trap shooting is not as exciting as an NFL game, but can be interesting if you enjoy hunting or if you just like to shoot firearms. For those who do not know, trap shooting involves shooting clay discs, or pigeons, with a shotgun. Most leagues shoot twenty-five pigeons per round sixteen yards away from where the pigeons are thrown. There are five stations to shoot at, and shooters rotate after everyone shoots five shots. Someone keeps track of how many were missed to tally up the shooter’s final score. The sport is very popular around the state of Wisconsin, with over twenty-six thousand athletes participating in the 2017-18 league year. Even with this incredible number of students participating, trap shooting is unknown to a large number of people. The students who participate at Potosi want that to change.

           Konner Schroeder, one of two Seniors on the team, will be entering his fourth year of trap shooting. Like many others, Konner did not know much about trap shooting until a friend recommended it to him. At the time, Konner was just starting to gain an interest in hunting and shooting. Now, he loves to shoot with his friends at the Sportsman’s Club in downtown Potosi. One of his favorite things about trap is being with his teammates, “You share experiences and create memories with them,” said Konner, “It makes competing with them fun.” Konner dedicates himself to trap shooting during the season, even preparing himself before each league year begins. “I try to go down to the club on weekends and shoot a few rounds,” said Konner, “I also go to a few of my friend’s houses and shoot with them, too.” Konner hopes that more people join the trap team in the coming years, “If you enjoy hunting, hanging out with your friends, and other outdoor activities this is the sport for you.”

           Junior class member Zach Stuart will be shooting another year on the trap team. Zach’s interest in guns is what drew him to join the team, “I always had an interest in guns, I just never had an opportunity to hunt or do anything with a gun.” Zach also did not consider himself to be a very athletic person, opting to go for trap instead of a more physical sport like track or baseball. He is very close with his fellow teammates, “I like to go down and shoot with them every week. It’s very enjoyable and I always have a great time.” Zach has only two more years left to shoot on the trap team, but he hopes that more people will start to go out for trap. “If you have any interest in guns at all, I would really recommend this sport.”

           Sophomore class member Hunter Yager is also returning to shoot trap with the team. Hunter was introduced to trap shooting by a friend, and he has enjoyed it ever since. “I like to shoot with my friends,” said Hunter, “It helps you learn how to shoot better when you shoot with friends.” Hunter is an avid hunter and is a good marksman, and one of his favorite things about trap is the fact that he can shoot. He recommends trap shooting to anyone who also enjoys hunting, stating, “It really helps you practice for hunting season, and every so often they have free food at the club for in between rounds.”

           Trap shooting is a rapidly growing sport in the U.S., attracting athletes from every state. It is a great way to perfect your aim if you are big into hunting, or even if you have never fired a gun and always wanted to try it. Once you shoot once, you can be hooked for years. Shooting with your friends helps to seal the deal, too. There is always a chance for competition with your friends to see who can shoot a perfect twenty-five, and every time you shoot provides you with a learning experience to see how you can get better. If you shoot very well, it is your duty to help the others who are struggling to get good scores. If you are the one struggling, rest assured that someone will be ready to help you at any time. It is a great sport and a great experience to anyone who is willing to try it, and everyone who has shot before will support it.