The Second Amendment is the right to bear arms. The Ashland 4-H Trap club team uses their Second Amendment right to compete in trap shooting competitions.
This team is not just from Ashland. There are a handful of students from nearby towns that create this one successful community, including a large group from Gretna. Arguably for the trap shooting participants, having this community is the best part of it all.
In trap shooting, the participants yell “pull,” which sends a flying orange target, called clay pigeons, in the air for the person to shoot with a shotgun. They aim, shoot and continue this for twenty fives shots. They attempt to hit five clay pigeons in row and then switch with someone else in their group. These shooters compete through most weather and conditions, even when it may be difficult or affect their results.
“The different wind speeds can really mess you up and lead to being frustrated with yourself,” junior Caleb Lockman said.
A common phase with any sport is mind over matter. The hardest challenge most athletes face is personal discouragement. When a person gets into their own head, it’s nearly impossible to be the most successful they can be.
“It’s you and your head,” freshman Sara Thiellen said. “If you tell yourself you are going to shoot bad, you are going to shoot bad.”
It’s difficult to teach participants how to have the right mindset. Some are just forced to figure it out for themselves. Others may get some good advice to try to help them through the negative thoughts.
Sara Thiellen’s father gave her some good advice to fight the negative attitude she may experience. She said that he told her “Pull, bang, forget,” which means yell, pull and be prepared for them to shoot, then give it your best effort and, finally, forget. Don’t let that shot good or bad get in your head and be prepared to shoot the next shot.
“It’s so mentally draining because you put earplugs in and it’s just you and your thoughts,” Thiellen said.
These athletes put sweat, tears and money into this activity, with the goal of making progress. Many people put so much effort into this sport, no matter how long they have been working for it.
The trap shooting mindset is something the players have to work on themselves but the coaches are there to teach and help them improve on their skills. All the coaches are volunteers but coach as if they get paid. They sit through hours of cold weather as the shooters yell pull at them, and they just enjoy helping the kids.
“When you teach the kid and they use it later on and it works,” Clint Mumm said as he gives a reason why he chooses to coach.
The progress that these shooters are making can be seen by the participants, their coaches and the community supporting them.
“The best part is seeing the progress I’ve been making in my first year,” junior Izabel Spencer said.
