Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Here's the Kimball trap team: Standing left to right: Coach Sean Dunegan, Ainslie Albertson, Coach Jeremy Fryda, Cameron McGinnis, Mallory Hottell, Hunter Lonsdale, Kambree Hottell, Clarika Hottell, Cainin Sours, Kip Gillming, Faith Bohac, Anna Coleman, Sophie Coleman, David Bond, Tradin Hottell, Tig Woolington, John Dunegan, coach Kelly Dunegan, and coach Brittany Cook. Standing on trap house: James McGinnis, Travis Fryda, Charlotte Hargreaves, and Justin Klosterman. Sitting on trap house: Nolan Cook, Grace Anderson, Hayden Sours, Bransyn Kiefer, and Jarrett Schutz. Not pictured Trenton Hottell and Ashlyn Kuhns.
The Kimball Longhorn Trap Team is in its second year of existence with coaches Brittany Cook, Kelly Dunegan, Sean Dunegan and Jeremy Fryda leading the team of 7-11 graders. Practices have been delayed due primarily to the wind, but also the cold has made it difficult to practice. According to the coaches, everything is scored from now until the end of the season. They have five scored shoots.
With 15 individuals returning from the 2021 team, experience is in abundance, and the kids and coaches are committed to the success of the program. The team now has 27 members, which is almost double the inaugural year.
The team fundraised and has set aside money if anyone qualifies for nationals. The money from their raffle and meal went towards their new thrower, an $8,000 piece of equipment. The team is lucky because Gary Burton owns one of the throwers, and he lets the team use it, and now in "House #2 two" they have their own thrower. With the influx of shooters, nine seventh graders joined the team this year, they have plans of adding another thrower next year.
In addition, the Rotary has donated some money for ammo for the kids. They go through two boxes each practice.
The consensus of the coaches is that the sport of trap centers on safety, marksmanship, and fun, a sport that they can do the rest of their lives. The trap team is also required to do community service at the recreation area in order to belong to the team.
Brittany Cook said it but all the coaches agreed, "We're making well-rounded people." The coaches have expectations of winning state and taking teams to nationals this year. Surprisingly, the coaches mentioned the amazing number of scholarships available for shooting sports. Most colleges have a shooting sport team and give many scholarships including University of Wyoming, CSU, UNL, and many junior colleges.
The four coaches are very excited about attending the school awards night and seeing their dreams of a great team realized.
