Bunker Hill, Ill. — The Shotgun Sports team participated in the USA College Clay Target League National Championship earlier this month in Bunker Hill, Illinois. The competition consisted of two days of trapshooting with each athlete shooting at 100 targets (4 rounds of 25) each day.
The shoot saw 243 athletes representing 20 different teams from around the country. McPherson took nine of its shooters to the event.
As a team, McPherson secured seventh place of the 20 with a combined two-day score of 935 targets of a possible 1000. The team score is determined by the top five combined scores. Shooters contributing to this score are Zachary Hawley (193/200), Dalton Robertson (189/200), Leann Dallinghaus (187/200), Lucas Ratzlaff (183/200), and Isabelle Bowman (183/200).
There were two podium finishes. Robertson secured first place in the Men’s Silver class, while Bowman placed second in Women’s Silver. Both Robertson and Bowman are freshmen. Also at the tournament, season awards were handed out. McPherson is in conference 6. In this conference Hawley placed third, in men’s, with a 24.3/25 average. Dallinghaus also placed third, in women’s, with a 22.4/25 average.
Robertson and Bowman were asked about their time with the team. Robertson mainly focused on the trip saying, “It was a great time with laughs and good memories.” Bowman focused on the buildup of the season, “I started the season with a new gun and not doing as well as I’d like. So, I switched back. I was nervous about Nationals, as normally I don’t do as well at competitions. But I started great from the first shot.” Both Robertson and Bowman are looking forward to next season to grow as individuals and as a team.
Other notable performers were Mackenzie McEachron (178/200), Laci Jennings (173/200), Samantha Dean (170/200), and Clancy Cummings (168/200). In the Men’s Gold Class, Hawley took 15th, Ratzlaff took 47th, and Clancy Cummings took 86th. Again, in Men’s Silver Class, Robertson took first. All of McPherson’s female competitors placed in the top 10, Dalinghaus (ninth in women’s gold), Bowman (second in women’s silver) McEachron (fifth in women’s silver), Jennings (ninth in women’s silver), Dean (tenth in women’s silver). Classes were determined by season averages. Additionally, ten 25-Straights were shot by 5 different shooters.
This event wrapped up the Bulldogs Fall Season. They will begin practice again in February and look to continue their success at the Heart of America Conference Championship in Lenexa, from March 7 – March 8th.
