April 28, 2017 at 1:15 p.m.
RHS trap team takes aim at first meet
RHS trap team takes aim at first meet
The team shoots their scores at their home club. The scores are uploaded online and the team is in conferences based on the league they are in. The conferences are defined by the number of students in the group. Rhinelander is in Conference 8 with teams such as Cumberland, Ashland and Medford. Once the scores are uploaded, all conference scores are available the next Saturday. The season ends in May, with a fun shoot on the 28th. Everyone from the league is invited to the state shoot in the town of Rome at the Wisconsin Trap Shooters Home Grounds on June 10.
"We have two girls on the team, which is great. And we've got a big mix of experience," coach Phil Kriesel said. "We've got a lot of kids who are completely brand new. Some may have shot a grouse or something, but a lot of kids don't have any experience."
Some of the kids have experience shooting with a trap in the backyard or with hand-thrown clays, but most did not have formal trap shooting experience, he added.
"Rhinelander lost its ability to do this back in the '80s," Kriesel said. "It's time. There are obviously people who are interested."
The club is still looking for donations in order to reduce the price for the kids. Every team member paid $225 to become a member of the trap club, and Kriesel is looking to reduce those costs in the coming year.
The last practice week brought with it some heavy winds that made shooting difficult. Makayla Kuester bested the field in that last practice. Kriesel instructed the shooters to put that experience behind them and to focus on the conditions at their current shoot.
Jacob Sinclair has been shooting clays most of his life. When the team was created, he jumped at the chance to be part of it.
"I love to hunt and shoot," he said. "It's a lot of fun and it needs to grow as a sport. It's a great time to get together with everybody and shoot clay birds."
Students must hold a firearms safety certification to join the team, but, as Kriesel pointed out, a student does not need a great deal of experience. Coaches and volunteers are there to guide students and help them become better shooters. Each shooter shot three rounds, with the second and third round being their scoring rounds.
Anyone interested can follow the team on its Facebook page at facebook.com/RHSTT.
Scores will also be posted on wiclaytarget.com. Those looking to donate can call Kriesel at 715-482-0238 or email him at [email protected].
Beckie Gaskill may be reached at [email protected].
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