ON TARGET

After a lengthy absence, a trap shooting club has returned to the Kimball area.

Spearheading the renewal of trapshooting was Brittany Cook, but she is quick to give credit to many others that helped get the event going.

"Kelly Garrett was so helpful in pointing me in the right directions and to the right people to get everything lined up," Brittany said. "Jeremy Williams worked with us and got (support from) the Park and Rec board. The school worked with us to allow us to use the name (Kimball Longhorn Trap Club) and let our ninth to 12th graders have the ability to letter. Kelly and Sean Dunegan both stepped up too, and numerous people donated time and money to get us going."

Previously, the trap house at the Kimball Rec Area was used privately on occasion, and Pheasants Forever used it once a year. But the facility hasn't seen regular use for years.

The youth and their coaches have cleaned up the area, made repairs, and painted areas at the trap shoot.

The team of 15 shooters from seventh-graders to seniors will have five scored shoots at home using a system called Clay Target Go. Through this system, all students have the opportunity to qualify for the Nationals.

Other states have participated in USA High School Clay Target League for years, but this is the first year that Nebraska became part of this organization.

"I just had good timing as the league was starting to pursue adding teams in Nebraska," Cook said.

So she started making phone calls.

Even with the unfavorable weather, the Kimball Longhorn Trap Club practices twice a week and looks forward to the meets.