Clay Pigeons Meet DuckTales: Young Marksmen are Taking the Spotlight!

CASA GRANDE — Heritage Academy’s trapshooting team, known as the Heroes, recently showcased their skills at the Arizona State Championship, securing not only medals but a testament to their growth as a team. The event, held at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center in Phoenix, saw this young team thrive amidst pressure, demonstrating both focus and determination.

In just its second year, the team’s effort earned them a second-place finish overall, competing against nearly 100 athletes from across the state in various clay target disciplines, including trapshooting and skeet.

The competition also recognized individual talents, with several Heritage students earning notable honors:

• Cienna Thatcher secured second in Novice Female Skeet and third for High Season Average in Female Skeet.
• Jack Barnum placed second in Junior Varsity Male Trapshooting.
• Isabel Richmond finished third in Junior Varsity Female Trapshooting.
• Nash Ford achieved fourth overall in All-State Skeet.

As the team gathers at the range, shotguns slung over their shoulders, they reconnect after the championship, eager to share experiences and victories.

Training sessions for the team involve trap, skeet, and 5-stand, each discipline demanding distinct techniques. In trap, participants shoot from five different stations as targets zoom past at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour. Skeet presents targets from both a “high house” and a “low house,” while 5-stand variation keeps the competitors on their toes.

For many athletes at Heritage Academy, this championship served as an introduction to the shooting sports.

Some, like Alexandra Cruz, had never handled a gun before joining the team. “I got so scared,” she recalled about her first shoot. “But I came back. I love the sport now.”

Others also faced challenges; one student initially hit only one target out of 100, but with practice, many now regularly score in the teens or even the 20s.

“Trapshooting is a mind game,” stated rising senior Brody Abercrombie. “Overthinking is your worst enemy.”

To maintain calm, athletes employ various personal rituals. Classic rock and children’s theme songs accompany some shooters, while others have specific physical routines, like adjusting their sleeves before shooting.

The team practices at Casa Grande Trap & Skeet, a family-run range rich in history. Tiger Volz, part of the family that operates the range, points to a wall showcasing shooters who have achieved remarkable feats, including hitting 100 or 200 clays consecutively.

The club’s success mirrors the growth of the Arizona High School Clay Target League, which has expanded dramatically since its inception. With safety as a primary focus, the league has maintained a record of zero injuries. Participants undergo firearm safety courses, ensuring a responsible approach to the sport.

“Our focus is safety, leadership, fun, and marksmanship, in that order,” emphasized coach Sadie Barnum, alongside fellow coach Doug Ford.

The supportive culture within the team fosters mentorship, with seasoned athletes guiding newcomers. Their season culminates in a family barbecue and a fun shoot, where students compete with their parents and coaches.

“You have to remember to have fun,” Barnum added. “That usually leads to better scores.”

Doug Ford summed it up: “It’s a great group of young people, and they’re pretty good shots, too!”