Wapakoneta High School’s New Clay Target Shooting Club Aims for Success
WAPAKONETA- Wapakoneta High School is making waves in the world of extracurricular activities with the launch of its groundbreaking Clay Target Shooting Club. This pioneering initiative marks a significant addition to the school's roster of clubs and promises to offer students a unique avenue for skill development, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.
In the Spring of 2024, Mason Becker wanted to bring his passion of hunting into the school system, giving him and his peers an opportunity to participate in something other than the traditional athletics and music. “I saw a FOX News video. They did a piece on it on the teams out West, and I said, ‘oh, that is a pretty neat idea. Lets get that around here.’”, said the incoming Redskin Junior who has been hunting ever since he was born. “Mason always showed a lot of interest in outdoor sports, hunting, fishing, trapping. He's never really had much interest in traditional sporting, because he's always spent his time doing this. I've always encouraged him to try to get involved in a team sport, because I think you learn a lot of skills. This was right up Mason's alley,” said his father K.c..
Practices and competitions will be held weekly at the Moulton Gun Club under the supervision of trained coaches and volunteers. At each event, every athlete participates equally, taking the same number of trap shots regardless of skill level. Scores are submitted by coaches through the USA High School Clay Target League team management system, compared against conference opponents, and posted on the league's website. The season concludes with a state tournament, where every team is invited to compete for awards and recognition.
After a meeting showed there were nearly 30 kids interested in the club, the Wapakoneta City Schools voted that they would recognize the team as an official school club. With registration set to begin within the next few weeks, $40.00 from any boy or girl in grades 8-12 will guarantee a spot on the roster, after proper safety training is completed of course. Under the guidance of dedicated faculty advisors Mr. Jared Selover and Mark Law, along with Becker’s father K.c., all experienced shooters and advocates for responsible firearm use, the Clay Target Shooting Club is poised to provide students with a safe and structured environment to explore the sport.
Safety is paramount and the club is committed to upholding the highest standards of firearm safety and handling. All activities will be conducted under the supervision of certified instructors, with strict adherence to safety protocols and procedures. "Safety is the utmost importance. Safety over speed, safety is number one, safety over everything,” emphasized the coaches. “The hunter safety course can be virtual or it can be in person. Beyond that, you have to have eye protection, you have to have ear protection. The safety courses will show them how to properly handle a firearm safely,” Selover stated. Since the national league began nearly 25 years ago, there hasn't been a single injury to athletes or spectators, making clay target shooting the safest high school sport in the country.
For now, the club is marketing for sponsors and team members in hopes of one day becoming a school-sponsored sport.