By Liz Page
SOUTH KORTRIGHT – Trap shooting is picking up some steam for students in the region and South Kortright is leading the charge, locally, with a team for second year, under team advisor Kevin Hitt.
The team traveled to the state tournament in Bridgeport this year where nearly 2,000 students competed over two days, according to Hitt.
"It was the largest tournament to date," said Hitt. Four of his 13 team members traveled to the state tournament. They compete in divisions based on grade levels in school. There is a junior high division for seventh and eighth grades, junior varsity for ninth and 10th grades and varsity for 11 and 12th grades. They are also divided by male and female competitors.
For South Kortright, Daniel McClure had the top finish. A sophomore, he competed in the junior varsity boys division and notched 82 out of 100 clay pigeons. Even more remarkable was that he went 25 for 25, acing a round to push that total. "No one has ever done that before. It's pretty remarkable, to break all 25 targets for your round is excellent."," said Hitt.
Anyone on the team was eligible to compete. Each competitor shoots at 100 targets, shooting in rounds of 25 clay pigeons at a time.
There were 27 trap fields, with five-person squads and seven squads per field.
McClure's teammates included Jeff Palmatier, who shot 72; Jacob Staroba who shot 61 and Andrew Sander who shot 46.
Hitt said he believes trap shooting is becoming more popular. The SKCS team utilizes the Jefferson Trap and Skeet Club range on Taber Road in Jefferson. He has had students call from other school districts asking to join the team and he believes that will happen at some point. "It has been popular in the Western part of the state and is now getting some traction in our area," said Hitt.
It is a sport that is equal to both sexes. Of the 13 team members on the SK team, three are girls and one he believes will be gaining lots of attention in the future.
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