Skewing toward younger shooters, the 2025 Clipper trap team has 32 participants: three sixth graders, four seventh graders, 10 eighth graders, four freshman, five sophomores, four juniors, and just two seniors: Kendra Zimmerman and Kayla Bauer.
“But we have some athletes who are shooting really well,” said head coach Brandon Ellickson (instructing above), “They are picking it up quickly, and we’ve been taking advantage of the nice weather.”
Ellickson said keeping the head on the gun and following through the shot are areas for improvement.
“They are always common themes. We’re working on it.”
Wednesday at the Caribou Gun Club was the first competition week. Missing just a target each round, sophomore Colton Tousley was the top gun with a 48. Sophomore Chase Bock shot a 45.
Eighth grader Jake Mueller splattered 42 targets. His classmates Tony Hollerich, John Ritchie and Blake Stocker all scored a 40.
With 39s were freshman Aiden Giese and eighth grader Uriah Hoheisel. Freshman Austin Anderley, sophomore Cole Stocker and Zimmerman grounded 38 discs.
With 36s were sophomore Henry Boelter, and eighth grader Nolan Schlaak. Junior Judd Gibbs shot a 35 as did seventh grader Chase Roemhildt. Eighth grader Graham Reinhardt scored a 33, while his classmate Gauge Bock scored a 32. Seventh grader Steve Giebel also shot a 32.
Deandra Doerr, a junior, Brunson Gibbs, a freshman, and Marshall Heldberg, a sophomore, all posted a 31. Seventh grader Tyler Smith shot a 30.
Freshman Ben Traxler, in his rookie year, scored a 21. Eighth grader Ethan Lloyd scored a 20. Sixth grader Brock Pugh shot a 19 while seventh grader Brennon Holicky shot a 16 as did sixth grader Sawyer Roemhildt. Learning her way around a shotgun, sixth grader Jacquelyn Heldberg scored a six.
In reserve week, the Wednesday before, the shooter’s score will count if he or she misses a competition round. Mueller led it with a 44, and Hollerich was just one behind.
Judd Gibbs shot a 42, Ritchie shot a 41, and Tousley shot a 40. Marshall Heldberg shot a 36. Gauge Bock scored a 34, and Anderley posted a 33.
With a 31, Zimmerman was also the top female shooter that week. Brunson Gibbs also shot a 31.
Putting up 30s were Schlaak, Graham Reinhardt and eighth grader Brayden Seeman. Chase Roemhildt and Bauer both connected with half of their targets.
Oliva Reinhardt scored a 23. With 22s were Giese and Lloyd while Doerr, Smith and Traxler each scored a 21. Pugh shot a 20 while Giebel and junior Carter Kern each hit 19 targets. Sawyer Roemhildt shot a 17 while Jacquelyn Heldberg grounded 16 clays.
Ben Miller assists Ellickson, but the trap team is supported by many volunteers.
