For the most part, the team picked up where they left off last year with a couple exceptions. They only lost one shooter to graduation and picked up a number of new athletes. This put the team total roster at 54 target shooters. This isn't just students from New Richland. Of the 54 shooters, five are from Albert Lea, seven are from Waseca, one is from JWP, one is attending St. Mary's in Owatonna, and one student is home schooled.

“This diverse group of area students come together very nicely, but it is clear they will have their work cut out for them,” said coach Dan Sorum.

In the first week of competition, six of the NRHEG kids occupied a top-10 average with 13 other students. This was the most of any school. However, in a sport where there are no bench players, the team needs 40 solid scores to be competitive. For the NRHEG kids this was not the case as their bottom scores were not nearly as impressive as the top. As a result, the target shooters from NRHEG find themselves starting the season in fourth place. The season is five weeks long and there is plenty of time to close the gap, but it will take stronger rounds from the bottom 10-15 shooters.

Individually, Kyle Bartz (Waseca) and Collin Christensen (NRHEG) are back in form. Both shooters were in the top 100 in the state last year and qualified for the individual competition at the MSHSL tournament. Both shooters are in the top 25 for the conference. They are joined by Tyler Raimann (NRHEG), Frank Altrichter (NRHEG), Alex Romer (AL), and Carter Suchanek (NRHEG). Alex and Tyler were both credited with their first perfect 25 round last week.

The team shoots again this week and will be looking to move up in the standings. They shoot at the Owatonna Gun Club on Wednesdays from 4 pm to 6:30 pm. Visitors are welcome.

Class 4A - Conference 4

Team Name Total Points

McGregor-Aitkin-Crom. 6975

Mahtomedi 6228.5

Marshall 6063

NRHEG 5690

Sartell 5308.5

Cretin-Derham Hall 4399

Glencoe-Silver Lake 3839