The Millard West trap team A Squad looked to repeat as state champions when they took to the range on Saturday, April 30. Senior Leo Higgins finished sixth place in the Handicap category, and senior Aiden Alward placed first overall.

The state trap competition is a two-day event where each individual shooter shoots one round (75 shots) on each day. Each shooter shoots a round from the 16-yard line on day one. Their score out of 75 from that position is divided by two, and that number is the yard line where the shooters will shoot on day two. The score from the new spot they shoot at is called the Handicap score. The Handicap score allows shooters to medal individually, even if their overall score is low. Shooters are able to medal in the 16-yard round, the Handicap round and the overall score. All of the individuals’ overall scores are added up to accumulate a team score and determine final placings.

“At state, I didn’t shoot very well from the 16-yard line,” Higgins said. “Usually, I shoot around a 45-47, but that day, I shot a 50 out of 75, so that was rough. Everybody struggled on the second day because of the wind, so that worked out in my favor, and I was able to place well in Handicap.”

To prepare for the state meet, the team has been practicing every Monday and Wednesday since March, as well as participating in meets every Saturday throughout the season. With every practice and meet, the team improved their scores from the previous weekend. Although the team was happy with their performance overall, there is still room for improvement.

“About two weeks before the state meet, we started shooting almost every day,” senior Drake Pietryga said. “At normal meets, we shoot rounds of 50 but at the state meet we shoot rounds of 75. To prepare for the state meet, we started shooting rounds of 75 so we would be physically ready for the competition. Personally, I shot well, only missing six shots. On the second day, the wind picked up and so I didn’t shoot as well.”

After the day’s shooting was done, there were a lot of emotions going through the team’s minds. The team had to wait about an hour for scores to come in and they were shocked when they got the results.

“I am happy with the scores all of our shooters had gotten,” head coach Nick Coyne said. “The first day was a very good day for shooting and our shooters showed us with their scores. The second day was incredibly windy with a cross wind and that makes for a rough shooting day. I was pleased with the score and the mental capabilities of our shooters knowing it would be a tough day and still putting up some good scores.”

Most of the 10 team members have been shooting together since middle school and they have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. The team always pushed each other to get better at each and every practice and worked as a team to accomplish their goal of winning back-to-back state championships. Over the years, the team members often go to shooting ranges together during the off-season, especially in the summer, to improve their marksmanship. This practice and preparation has led to score improvements that translate into the season.

The trap team had a successful season, placing first in many of their meets. While they are happy with their season, they are sad to see the seniors go. The returning members of the team hope to carry this year’s success into next year.