New rules and regulations await returning shooters
By DAN SORUM
NRHEG Coach
With all the changes going on in the world of high school sports, it is comforting for some athletes to know that clay target shooting will still be offered.
The Minnesota State High School Clay Target League has made significant changes to how the season is run in order to accomodate schools and families in these uncertain times. For example, families and teams will not have to pay registration until the end of the season. That way, if an athlete does not actually compete or a team has to cancel their season ahead of time then they will not owe any money.
Clay target shooting is already a "physically distant" sport with shooters placed at stations more than 6 feet apart and only five athletes, a coach, and scorekeeper are on the field. Additionally, being an outdoor sport which does not involve excessive physical exertion means that a potential virus will not be easy to spread. Still, participants and coaches will wear masks on the trap field for that extra level of precaution. Spectators can physically distance or simply watch from their vehicles and there is no indoor interaction.
Last fall, NRHEG had its biggest fall team since its inception in 2011. While some feel we will have even more kids due to the postponement of football and volleyball, it is hard to say what the numbers will look like.
If everyone does return, the team will have 20+ letterwinners from last fall competing. Only two athletes graduated, so it will also be an experienced team.
Individually, the Panther squad had six shooters in the conference Top 10 averages last fall. They were Caden Beauvais, Alex Dobberstein, Charles Pittman, Evan Reyna, Jason Eustice, and Adam Eustice.
So, the team looks strong provided everyone can return. The team finished second last fall behind Hermantown, so it is hoped the Panthers can bring home a conference championship this fall.
Once the season starts the week of Sept. 14, they can be found at the Owatonna Gun Club north of Hope.