Moorhead High’s Gavin Bakke, a first-year participant, prepares his gun while Jordan Colemer, a senior captain, fires her shot at the clay target during practice this spring for the new Moorhead High activity of clay target shooting. Both Bakke and Colemer are multi-sport athletes at Moorhead High.
Clay target shooting began at Moorhead High last spring after student requests led to a proposal to add the activity and the proposal was approved. During the first year, 35 students competed. This year 54 students from grades 9-12 are participating.
Practices and competitions are held at the Glyndon Rod & Gun Shooting Range.  Students compete at their home range and scores are submitted online for competition. Spud shooters can compete in several invitational events during the spring. The final event is the championship in Alexandria, which is the world’s largest shooting event with more than 8,000 student athletes competing June 11-19.
According to Coach Josh Carlson, clay target shooting is gaining popularity among Moorhead High School students.
“Our numbers show we are building a strong foundation for future years,” Carlson. “This sport fills a gap in activities offered throughout high schools across Minnesota.”
Carlson said students from all backgrounds are participating in clay target.
“Some of these athletes actually compete in two spring sports,” he said. “We have a wide range of ability levels this year, but the students have made great strides in the first five weeks. As a coach, it is a great joy to watch these students compete, and the smiles on their faces when they break a clay is priceless.”
(Photo/ Bill Grover)