Christenson, Raimann qualify for individual state tournament
In dominating fashion, the NRHEG clay target team has taken the crown for Conference 3 of Class 7A in the MSHSCTL Spring season.
The team only spent the first of the five-week competition out the top spot. They did it in much the same way they have led the conference — with strong scores from top to bottom. This time it involved two students shooting a perfect 50/50 and others recording personal best scores.
Collin Christenson and Tyler Raimann posted the perfect rounds. For Collin, it is his second of the season. Both Collin and Tyler led a group of four athletes that scored in the top 10 for the week five competition.
But, as head coach Dan Sorum stated, "It was equally important to see some of our lower average shooters have their best day to wrap up this conference win."
He is referring to Sam Zimmerman and Andrey Wisler, both of New Richland. Both of these young marksmen shot rounds double their average.
"This is what makes a strong team, — strong scores and strong performance from top to bottom,” said Sorum.
In addition to the team taking top honors, the squad will see two of their most reliable shooters return to the MSHSL State Individual Tournament in Prior Lake on June 25. Collin Christenson and Kyle Bartz finished third and 17th, respectively, in the state to receive this opportunity. Both were part of the inaugural event years ago but failed to qualify last year. Christenson is a junior at NRHEG High, Bartz a senior at Waseca.
Just missing the cut off was Zachary Eustice of Waseca who finished in the 112th spot just one-tenth of a point from qualifying, and Raimann of NRHEG who was just two-tenths away from qualifying.
For the season, the team had nine shooters finish in the top 25 averages for the conference. Christenson was second, Bartz fourth, Eustice sixth and Raimann seventh. Albert Lea's Alex Romer fought off a knee surgery to finish 10th. Tory Christenson (NRHEG) was 11th, followed by Noah Lund (WHS) 15th, Tanner Alfson (ALHS) 16th, and Chancellor Olson (NRHEG) also in 16th.
Ashton Worke (WHS) was in the top 25 for male shooters in the conference and Morgan Phillips (ALHS) was in the top 25 for female shooters.
The team now gets a couple weeks to prepare for the state championship competition in Alexandria. The state championship is this league's "playoffs" with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the MSHSL State Team Tournament on June 25. Each of the eight classes compete head-to-head over an eight-day period in what is billed as the world's largest shooting sport event.
The NRHEG squad will have to finish in the top three of 22 schools scheduled to participate that day. The Class 7A round is scheduled for Monday, June 20.