As the summer swings around many teams are finishing up their seasons, but for trap, the season is just starting to take aim.
Devon Helget, a sophomore on the Rock Creek High School trap team, is eager to return to Nationals this year. One of Helget’s personal goals is to make the All-American team.
Just like tracking a fast-moving target from post to post, trap shooters must develop both physical skill and sharp mental focus.
“A lot of focus, and you gotta put your mind to whatever you do,” Helget said.
Competitors must be ready for anything on the line with clays flying out of the trap house at unpredictable angles.
“You always have to know what it looks like before you get up there, so you are not guessing. When you start shooting, you always want to have the right clays. You don’t want them too high or too low. You always want them perfect,” Helget said.
Cooper Hafenstein, a senior on the team, is embracing his role as a leader for the younger shooters.
“My role as a senior is to make sure that I’m a good role model for the younger shooters who are watching me. I’ve got to make sure I stay calm regardless of how I’m shooting and stay focused,” Hafenstein said.
Much like calling for a target with confidence, Hafenstein understands the importance of poise and leadership under pressure.
“Trap shooting is a good sport to get better at focusing and controlling your emotions. Since the gun does all the work for you, it’s a fully mental game,” Hafenstein said.
From stepping up to the 16-yard line to adjusting for doubles, to improving their handicap, newcomers quickly learn that trap shooting is as much about discipline as it is about precision.
The trap team has its sights set on Nationals, the biggest shoot of the year, held in Michigan.
The competition gives shooters a chance to demonstrate their skills on a national stage. Rock Creek has made consecutive placements at the state and national level.
As they move through each round and break target after target, expectations for the Mustangs are higher than ever and they’re hoping to hit the mark this season.
