18 Panthers to shoot in state meet June 7-9
Putting together their best week of competition this year, the NRHEG Clay Target team took a total of 18 of 21 points to finish out the spring season.
The scores were strong from top to bottom with most of the shooters either matching or beating their season average. While it was not enough to erase the lead that the Brainerd team had, it was more than enough to solidify the team's runner-up position after passing Woodbury last week.
For week 5, the team was led by Kyle Bartz with a 47/50. This earned the team 5 of its 18 points, but the strength of a team comes in the averages for the top 50% of shooters and the total team average.
Other 40+ shooters were Frank Altrichter, Collin Christenson, Zach Edon, Zach Eustice, Carter Hagen, Tyler Logan, Haylie Mosher, Cordell Peterson, and Carter Suchanek."The number of students shooting in the 40s is what makes this team strong," said coach Dan Sorum. "The fact that we also see students in that group ranging in age from 6th grade to seniors is why we expect to stay strong."
The team’s two female shooters also continued to excel. Mosher finished the regular season with the 10th-highest average among females in the state and the top average in the conference. Larissa Petersen, despite struggling a bit the last two weeks, finished in the top 25 as well and will take home second-place honors for season average among female shooters in the conference.
The team now turns its attention to the Minnesota State Clay Target Shoot to be held in Alexandria June 7-9. Eighteen of the team's 22 shooters are scheduled to compete over the three days, starting with the novice shooters on Friday and ending with varsity shooters on Sunday.
"We have some serious contenders for state honors, but as I told the team, with as many shooters as there are at state you have to be at the top of your game to see your name on the top of the list," commented Sorum.
It is expected there may be as many as 2500 shooters competing in the three-day event, making it the largest trap shoot in the state.