Trap Shooting: an underrated sport of skill and competition

Tommy Stolpestad, Staff Writer|May 3, 2018

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Submitted Photo: Riley Tietel

The trap team lines up for a picture after practice.

With the spring sports season offering many exciting headlines, the Spartan trapshooting team is not one to be overlooked. The team meets every Saturday to hang out and shoot clay pigeons while working on hand eye coordination and firearm safety. For those who have been on the team in previous years, it has been an activity filled with adrenaline rushes and competitiveness. The SPA Trap Shooting team is a great way to build bonds with teammates and learn the focus and skill that trapshooting takes.

“I think [the team is] really fun, you can just hang out with your friends and shoot some trap. It also teaches kids and young adults the proper way to handle a firearm because safety is the number one priority when trapshooting,” captain Riley Tietel said.  

Not only does trap shooting teach the importance of gun safety, but is also a sport that requires a multitude of skills that are learned through practice. “For me [the most important aspect of trap shooting] is hand eye coordination and not thinking because the target moves fast enough where if you think, you are already too slow and it just has to be muscle memory, ” Tietel said.

Tietel knows what it takes to be a successful trapshooter, and after playing the sport for more than four years, he has valuable experience under his belt and has even shot a perfect score, during his sophomore season.

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It also teaches kids and young adults the proper way to handle a firearm because safety is the number one priority when trapshooting,

— Captain Riley Tietel

While trap shooting is a more individual focused sport, the team aspect of the sport plays an important role. “For the team aspect, it’s helping everybody shoot the best they can, and for sportsmanship it’s just being respectful and quiet when other people are shooting,” Tietel said.

As for competition, trap shooting is not always a laid back environment and teammates can help shooters be the best they can. “You just want to shoot the best you can and shoot better than your buddies,” Tietel said.

The SPA trap team is more than just a fun weekend activity. The team teaches important lessons of firearm safety and skill and with big things coming this season, Riley Tietel and the rest of the Spartan trap shooting team are looking forward to another successful season.