NRHEG’s Altrichter qualifies for state tournament
The NRHEG High School clay target team finished the season by traveling to the state Class 4A tournament in Alexandria June 14.
Twenty-nine of the team’s 54 athletes made the trip to compete in Novice, Junior Varsity, and Varsity level competition. Also at stake was the opportunity to return to the MSHSL State Clay Target Tournament. Last year, NRHEG was part of the inaugural year of this event.
Almost all shooters shot near or above their season averages with some turning in personal bests, but it wasn't enough to bring the team back to Prior Lake. Of the students who participated, Tyler Raimann of NRHEG turned in the top score with a 96/100. This was good enough to place Tyler in the top 10 for the varsity shooters. Tanner Alfson (Albert Lea) was in the top 10 for JV shooters with her score of 91/100. The varsity team placed in the top 10 of Class 4A teams they needed to be in the top four to advance to the MSHSL state tournament in Prior Lake.
The team was not without any representation, however, as Frank Altrichter (NRHEG) qualified as an individual by having a season average in the top 100 in the state. That is a significant accomplishment when you consider there are more than 8,000 shooters statewide. Frank also received his second-place plaque in Class 4A for his season average of 23.1/25 targets hit per round. Frank's trip to the Minneapolis Gun Club was successful as he scored a 91/100. This was not enough to bring home any top shooters trophies at this, just the second ever state tournament, but he was awarded all-state status. For the season, the team finished second in Conference 4 of Class 4A. Frank was the team's Top Gun and Caleb Hoffmann (Albert Lea) was awarded the Most Improved Shooter plaque.Altrichter, Raimann, Collin Christenson, and Brett Kubiatowicz from NRHEG along with Kyle Bartz, Noah Lund, Sam Bartz of Waseca and Alex Romer of Albert Lea were top 25 shooters in the conference. All eight of these shooters along with Carter Suchanek (NRHEG), Evan Dobberstein (NRHEG), Zachary Eustice (Waseca), Macoy Schwierjohann (NRHEG), and Tory Christianson (NRHEG) were announced as letter winners. The team wants to thank their volunteer coaching staff for their hours of time dedicated to the squad. Thanks to the parents and family members who supported the athletes. Thanks to the Owatonna Gun Club for serving as the home for the team. Plus, very special thanks to the team’s sponsors: Freeborn Construction (Albert Lea), L&D Ag Service (Hartland), Tim's Repair (New Richland), Olson Excavating (Hartland) Brian Wayne-Pioneer Seed (Ellendale), Scott Routh - Pioneer Seed (New Richland), Sonic Concrete (Ellendale), Hart Brothers Weaponry (Albert Lea), Nordaas American Homes (Minnesota Lake), Central Valley Co-op (Ellendale), Custom Fabrication (Owatonna), Daisy Blue Naturals (Geneva), Dobberstein Backhoe (New Richland), Express Pressure Washer (Blooming Prairie), Golf Carts and More (Owatonna), Innovance (Albert Lea), Jerry Raetz Masonry (Waseca), Lou-Rich (Albert Lea), Midwest Door Company (Austin), New Geneva Meats & Processing (Geneva), Winegar (Waseca), Abelman's Apple Creed Orchard (Faribault), Midwest Repairables (New Richland), Misgen Auto Parts (Ellendale), and Budach Implement (New Richland).