Lake County launches first trap shooting team
Link to the article in the Herald Democrat
https://www.leadvilleherald.com/newsletter/article_26c371b4-9226-11ef-8787-6bbf38acb0fd.html
What began as a few students interested in trap shooting has grown into a thriving high school team in Lake County.
The Lake County Sharp Shooters are in their inaugural season, but the team has already found success, currently holding third place in their conference as of week three.
“So far we’re doing really well,” said head coach Jake Farber. “They’ve gotten consistent scores, which is what we’re looking for. These guys are on the right track.”
The team was formed after students expressed interest in having a local trap shooting program. One of those students was senior Raymond Harvey, who previously had to travel to Buena Vista to participate in the sport.
“I started attempting to get a team up here my freshman year,” Harvey said in sharing his determination in bringing the sport to Leadville. “I contacted the athletic director at the time. Then we got a new athletic director, and I worked with Jake, and we finally got a team up here.”
Now, trapshooting is an official club sport at Lake County High School and counts as an extracurricular just like football or any other sport. Farber said the team is also integrating with 4-H and partnering with the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and the Scholastic Clay Target Program for special events.
Trap shooting involves teams of five shooters taking turns firing at clay targets called pigeons launched from a trap house 16 yards away. As the shooters rotate between five positions, the targets are launched at various angles, creating a 45-degree arc. Safety is a top priority, with a range safety officer overseeing the activity.
The sport requires intense focus and concentration, which Farber says is a key part of the program.
“We’re building focus and concentration skills so that when they go to work, they can be safe and keep their eyes on the situation at hand,” Farber said.
Trap shooting may actually help the students on their way to the workforce too, as Farber said several colleges have already expressed interest in offering scholarships to his shooters.
Beyond academic opportunities, assistant coach Josh Homer highlighted the camaraderie built within the team.
“We try to make sure that everyone is respectful and we really want to have that camaraderie that brings everyone together and makes everyone feel part of the team, because you’re not competing against one another, you’re competing as a team,” he said.
The Lake County Sharp Shooters’ roster includes senior Raymond Harvey, juniors Avalynn Homer and Trice Missey, sophomore Ben Woodcock, and freshmen Evan Homer and Garrett Homer.
The team ranges from beginners to experienced shooters and are broken up into four divisions based on skill level. The team’s female shooter, Avalynn Homer, participates side by side with her male teammates.
“Trap shooting is one of the fastest-growing female sports,” Josh Homer said. “It’s great because it’s a nice integrated sport where males and females compete right next to each other and still have a great time.”
He also emphasized that trap shooting is the safest high school sport.
“Year after year, it ranks as the safest, with very few accidents,” Josh Homer said. “We really emphasize firearm safety and proper conduct.”
Students interested in joining don’t need their own firearm. The Ascent Opportunity Development Division (AODD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides shotguns for participants who don’t have their own. The provided gun is a single-shot break-open model to ensure safety. If a student decides to purchase their own firearm, AODD can assist in choosing the right one.
Although the fall competition has ended, the Lake County Sharp Shooters are staying active.
“We’re going to be giving the students opportunities to go different places,” Farber said. “That’s why we hooked up with 4-H, the Scholastic Clay Target Program and AIM. We’ve got traveling teams that will go to different venues throughout the state, and that goes pretty much all year long.”
The team practices at the Leadville Rod and Gun Club trap range at noon on Sundays and at 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Anyone interested in joining can contact Farber by emailing 40677NJNF@gmail.com or by calling 970-471-2369.