"It was a nice accomplishment for the kids," said coach Dan Sorum. "What made it even more impressive was they did not do it by shooting the same score every week. Each team member worked hard to improve their average, so that each week our total team average always won us at least one of the three points possible."
At the end of the regular season the team recognized their top shooter, Cory Kaupa, who shot an average of 23/25 targets each week and their most improved shooter, Frank Altrichter who increased his average by eight targets over the season. The team also awarded letters to eight shooters.
They then took part in the State Shoot held at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake. The two-day tournament saw 550 students from across the state participating for individual and team recognition. The NRHEG group did well, with everyone shooting at or above their average.
It was Haylie Mosher, however, who took home some hardware when she placed third among females in the Novice category. Haylie had to shoot 18 targets over her average to accomplish this.
"It was a fine effort by all of the students," said Sorum. "And we are looking forward with excitement to next year."
Special thanks have to go out to a number of businesses and individuals. Sponsors for the team were Cabela's, Ahlmans Gun Shop, Midstate Reclamation and Trucking, Schlaak Trucking, Morgan's Meats, Ellendale 4-H club, John Olsen, Southern Gateway Chapter of Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, and Southern Minnesota Hunting Retriever Association. Additional thanks go out to the Owatonna Gun Club for being the team's home site, Paul Cyr for coaching, Nikki Erickson for being the team photographer, Melanee Olson for making thank you fliers for our sponsors, NRHEG Community Education, and to all of the parents who took time to attend the shoots and support their kids.
