Something to shoot for.

6/27/10

Star News

Bruce Strand, Sports editor (Photo by Bruce Strand)

A year ago, Jake Ruprecht took on an unusual project for his Wildlife Biology class at Elk River. Then a junior, he decided to set up a trap-shooting club.

"I have always loved trap-shooting, and I was in a league in Monticello," said Ruprecht. "I thought it would be cool to bring a club to our school. Everyone's like, 'Oh, guns are horrible, guns can kill people,' but if you use them properly, they can be a safe and fun recreational sport."

Now in its second year, Elk River Trap Team last weekend the group capped a good first season of competitive shooting at the state meet in Prior Lake.

The club has 25 members, all boys. Most were already hunters and/or trapshooters but several novices also joined, said Ruprecht. The Elk River Sportsman's Club provided them with a place to practice, along with mentoring by Merle Kratzky and Russ Overbye.

"Most of them aren't in any other extracurricular activity," noted Denise Eidem, the group's advisor, pleased that so many kids found an activity they could embrace.

Ruprecht is a wrestler and Willie McCarty is a quarterback but most are first-time joiners of a school activity.

One of them, Joe Stevens, the only member to shoot two perfect 25's this year, said he worked at the state fair last summer to earn the $1500 to buy his shotgun. "I was  pushing a Pronto Pup cart 65 hours a week," he grinned with satisfaction.

The club did not compete its first year but got into the action this year and had some success in the Minnesota High School Clay Target League.

The varsity -- seniors Ruprecht, Corey Leistico, Spencer Smith and Jayson Thompson, and sophomore Stevens -- placed fourth in a field of 13 schools, some of which had multiple teams, in the state meet last Sunday at the Minnesota Trap Shooting Club in Prior Lake.  They had placed first among seven teams in the outstate division for the regular season.

"We had a long day, but we had a great time," said Eidem, an English teacher and varsity boys swimming coach who's also an avid hunter and thus was asked to be the advisor.  "We are pleased with our 4th place varsity finish.

"We had a good day ---the cloudy, cool and calm weather was good for shooting. Every team member was well-represented with parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.  We had a great cheering squad and support from our fans."

Wayzata One placed first, hitting 461 of 500 birds. Wayzata Two had 456, Minnetonka One 451 and Elk River One 444.

The Novice squad placed third in its division. They were Steve Hanson, Jake Gohl,  Sam Justin, Brennan Pepek, and Nick Griffiths. Tyer Meyers placed third in the JV top gun standings.

Three ERHS members shot a perfect 25 during the day. They were McCarty, Tyler Meyers and Jayson Thompson. 

"We only shot three all season before Sunday," noted Eidem. The previous three, all at the Elk River range, were by Stevens twice and Ruprecht.

"For the first year competing with this league," said Eidem, "we are very pleased with the results.  The team members had fun, improved every week and enjoyed the day. We are looking forward to next season already."

The ERHS Trap Team -- Front (from left) Sam Justin, Spencer Smith, Jake Ruprecht. Standing: Jayson Thompson, Jake Gohl, Tyler Meyers, Steven Hanson, Luke Stearns, Nick Griffiths, Willie McCarty, Brennan Pepek, Joe Stevens, Cory Leistico, Andrew Meyer.