Sure, it appears to stray away from the typical nature of other, more widely accepted sports. It does not involve a ball and lacks the physical contact ordinary athletes are all too aware of. While many stress the importance of a so-called “clear head” when competing, little take into account perhaps the most demanding in this very aspect as far as recreational activities go: trapshooting.
Categorized as one of three of the major competitive clay target shooting sports, trapshooting is distinguished by individuals attempting to shoot targets, typically done with a 12-gauge shotgun, randomly launched from a single “house” or machine from various predetermined spots. Disregarding the shooting facet in its entirety, the pastime also emphasizes safety involving the entity and their surroundings in both handling and operating firearms.
With its ever-increasing popularity, much of which is understandably located throughout smaller, more rural communities, it is of no surprise to find many local schools now offering trapshooting to their students. In fact, some of those of which that have done so already are Rushford-Peterson, Spring Grove, Lanesboro, Houston, Fillmore Central, and Mabel-Canton.
However, it is the latter which has maintained the highest priority as of late, due to its recent participation at the Minnesota State High School League’s Trapshooting State Tournament that was held on June 24 in Prior Lake, Minn. Despite its frequent tendency of being overlooked, associated with characteristically low numbers as far as extracurricular activities go, the team undoubtedly proved their worthiness of partaking in the elite competition.
Indeed, Mabel-Canton placed 24 out of 40, with a score of 432 out of a possible 500, compared to the top team’s final tally of 480. Each with the possibility of a perfect 100, M-C’s Colten Heintz-Kuderer, Blake Henry, Parker Hubka, Levi Rogich, and Dawson Wangen were the sole contributors with scores of 93, 89, 81, 77, and 92, respectively.
Nonetheless, the above members, though their successes indisputably impressive, were far from the only ones who contributed to the team’s widespread prosperity. Coached by Doug Ward and assisted by Logan Henry and Corey Thompson, M-C’s 21 members not only met any expectations bestowed upon them, but greatly surpassed them, helping them to win their conference, included in which were schools of relatively the same size. Furthermore, Henry, who tied for first within this division, along with seven others on the team, managed a spot on the Top 25 of their conference. Five of M-C’s own also achieved status as part of the 25 Straight Club.
With Mabel-Canton’s undeniable achievements this past trapshooting season, one might reason the interest to have merely continued from years past. Yet, making this its second year, M-C has only had a trap team since the spring of 2016. Due to the MSHSL’s addition of a fall league in this same year, M-C does offer both spring and fall teams.
So, how does a team seemingly starting from nothing manage to obtain such noteworthy results within an evidently minimal amount of time? Both bystanders and advisors alike stand behind the unsurprising significance of practice. M-C’s own undertakes such twice a week, though the proceedings may resemble more of family events than the grueling training many conjure up upon hearing the term, with cars and lawn chairs gathered around and community members genuinely enjoying the neighborly companionship.
As far as looking ahead, Mabel-Canton is definitely one to watch in terms of trapshooting. A team equally as young as it is full of potential, four of the five shooters who contested at the state competition were just eighth graders. No seniors took part, leading one to anticipate a return of all members, as well as the addition of new ones. Improvement within each and every person on the team throughout the season has numerously been noted, along with the competitive natures, drive, and camaraderie necessary to preserve both a desire for growth and an overall aura of fun.
Congratulations to the Mabel-Canton Trapshooting Team for its momentous triumphs throughout the season and particularly on a job well done at the state tournament.
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