“Teens with Firearms?” “School club and guns?” “It cost how much?” These were some of the many questions raised when Madison started its first high school trap shooting team in the spring of 2022, but after two seasons of experience, the program is now up and running as it continues to grow and bring top-tier athletes to the state competition.
The 2023 trap season was a season of records. New records were set on the individual and team levels, with many memories made along the way. This season saw an increase in athletes, going from 12 to 15 participants, and a great boost to the team morale. The returning athletes came with an air of excitement to the first practice, ready for another season and ready to teach the new members of their team. This enthusiasm carried all the way to the state tournament in June.
Individual records were set by every member of the team, meaning that each athlete was able to improve their score from the previous season, if they were there the previous season, or improved from the first practice of the year. Logan Wardner and Trevor Harms both set records for most clays broken in a consecutive streak, both achieving a very impressive 50 straight, which is a 100% shooting percentage in a night! The Madison team competed at a tournament located outside of Garretson, where Trevor Harms was able to finish 1st in the Varsity Level and was closely followed by Logan Wardner in a tie for second.
Overall, the season was one to be remembered. Many memories were made, and many athletes are looking forward to the future. Some said, “It was my best season ever!” (Logan Wardner). Others talked about their hopes for the next season, saying, “I’m already excited for next year, I feel like things are coming together and I can’t wait to see what the season brings” (James Bame).
With another season in the books, the team is happy to look back and see zero injuries or accidents and continue the trend of trap shooting being the safest high school sport in the nation to date, with zero recorded accidents. Expectations for the next season are an even larger team, another fun season, and hopes to place well in the state tournament. Best of luck to the Dogs in the 2024 season!