Northern Heights trap shooting team returns to state | Gas

“We had a few of our shooters back that really improved from last season,” Hansen said. “Some have stayed the same. Shooting is a skill that takes a bit of time if you don't do it a lot. But most of our children are at the same level as last year or have a better average.

Morgan Liggett is the team's only varsity shooter heading to state. The remainder of the shooters will compete at the junior varsity and novice levels. Levels are determined based on the average number of clay pigeons per round of 25 during the season. (Novice: 0-14.99, JV: 15-18.99, V: 19-25).

The eight JV shooters on the team this year are Kelton Bish, Clayton Collier, Nathan Hansen, Preston Patton, Rykin Piper, Cooper Spade, Rees Spade and Cooper Woodrow. Their five rookie shooters are Nathanial Ciero, Leo DeDonder, Grayson Hanlin, Tagen Hoffer and Logan Schlimme. Hayden Saunders is also on the team, but will not shoot for State.

Hansen said he was pleased with the growth of the new additions to the team over the course of the season.

“Some of the new kids have progressed significantly from where they were at the start of the season,” Hansen said. “They behave well.”

The Kansas Trap Shooting State Tournament will be held this weekend at the Kansas Trap Shooting Association in Sedgwick, with Northern Heights competing today with Class 1A. The first round of 50 on clay will take place in the morning, while a second round of 100 will take place in the afternoon. Hansen thinks it will be a good experience.

“We’re really looking forward to going to Sedgwick for the state shoot,” Hansen said. “I think with our JV shooters we'll have a good chance of being successful there and then I think our rookie shooters are going to be surprised by the environment. There will be nearly 2,500 shooters over the two days and it will be a fun experience for them.