SHIOCTON, Wis.— Over 1,600 athletes from 96 high school teams will compete in the 2022 Wisconsin state trap shooting championship. One team wants to wrap up its very first season with a victory.
Once a week, the Shiocton trap team gathered to practice shooting at the Outagamie Conservation club near Hortonville. This is its inaugural season, but hunting and shooting are second nature around here.
“Duck hunt, goose hunt, turkey hunt, just about anything,” said Dylan Herb, junior at Shiocton.
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It was a common theme throughout the students.
“Everyone hunts, so if you’re just coming here with the opportunity to shoot and it’s a fun thing to hang out with the friends who also like the same stuff as you,” said Logan Ebben, junior at Shiocton.
Over 100 high schools from across the state participated in the spring league.
Chris Schley coached other sports in the past, and also likes to bird hunt. When Shiocton wanted a team, parents in the district approached him to lead them, so he became a certified shotgun coach.
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“Focus on our movements, our vision, follow through. Break the bird,” explained Schley to his team before a recent practice.
All students had to complete hunter’s safety through the state. Coach Schley went further by providing a safety course specific to trap shooting for his team.
Schley had no problem filling the roster, which includes his two sons.
“Student enrollment at the high school is right around 200. We have 14 of 200 students here so it’s a pretty good turnout,” said Schley.
The coach laid out a lofty goal for each shooter at the start of the season.
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“We set out that each person is going to break 25 for an individual score for the year. Well, we had one guy tonight actually hit 25. So when you hit a 25, or a perfect round, there’s not a lot of advice to give,” said Schley.
Junior Dylan Herb followed up his perfect 25 with a 24.
“That’s a pretty good night,” said Schley.
Herb offered up some plain advice.
“I’ve hunted ever since I was little. You just can’t get yourself worked up. Relax and shoot,” said Herb.
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Schley said the team received great support from the community. Many on the squad played other spring sports and their coaches made it possible for them to meet up once a week for the trap team.
He said developing solid fundamentals will facilitate the team, much like in other sports.
“Obviously they need to learn the aspects of it and like any sport, whether you’re shooting a basketball or you’re taking batting practice in baseball. Whatever it is, the more you practice at it, the better you’re going to get,” said Schley.
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The team also spiced up practice with two “Annie Oakley” elimination contests. Similar to the game lightning in basketball, if you miss your clay and the next in line hits it, you’re out.
Even the coach took part, but it was Herb’s night as he won both times.
“And that’s how we’re going to do it at state too, and somebody’s going to bring home a trophy,” said Schley.
The startup squad finished second in their conference and will have nine shooters to compete at state where they hope to see a few more 25s.
