A report from the SCTP state championships

The New London Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) came into existence in October 2022. A group of parents made the School Board aware that they would like to start a New London trap shooting program. What they needed from the school? It turned out to be very minimal.

They requested the use of the New London school name and Tiger logo. They also asked to use the school’s facilities for fundraising activities, their gambling license when appropriate, and their public relations system to share information about the program with both students and families.

The School Board was very enthusiastic. They took action providing the group immediate use of the school name and logo so they could get started establishing a program. The other requests were worked out in an agreement between the two entities. Twenty-two boys and six girls quickly signed up.

Fast forward to June of 2023. The New London SCTP was wrapping up their first season that head coach John Smyth summed up as “great!” Their final meet was the SCTP State Tournament held in Cedar Falls from June 6 through 10. The tournament hosts 128 schools and 3,300 students. Out of its 28 members, 14 Tigers participated at State.

To understand the sport, one needs these basic definitions: singles (shooting at a single clay target); doubles (shooting at two clay targets released simultaneously trying to shoot both); and handicaps (the shooter stands farther away from the trap house than the standard 16 feet).

First day scores for singles in the intermediate advanced division included the following: Kane Forseen was 200 out of 200; Tyler Sours — 180/200; Landon Smyth — 170/200; Liam Garvey — 168/200; and Archer Bonnessen — 164/200. At the intermediate level the scores were Zach Calhoun — 193/200; Michael Gossen — 173/200; Rhys Nelson — 155/200; Tucker Larkins — 146/200; Cole Swanson — 141/200; and Emmett Garza — 132/200. Ladies intermediate division included Eden Millard — 112/200. At the varsity level Alex Calhoun shot 176/200, and at the JV level, Carter Adams was 171/200.

Kane Forseen’s perfect 200/200 won the state championship in singles for him. Zach Calhoun’s 193/200 was good enough for a 3rd place finish in his division.

In doubles, a score of 94/100 was enough for another state championship for Kane.

In handicaps, Kane was in a three-way tie for first with a 98/100. In the shoot off, he lost by one bird and finished as the Iowa SCTP handicap state runner-up.

Other scores in intermediate advanced included: Tyler Sours — 83/100; Landon Smyth — 81/100; and Tucker Larkins — 72/100. In the intermediate level division Zach Calhoun was 84/100. In the varsity level, Alex Calhoun was 88/100.

Coach Smyth said the kids did great for their first state tournament trip and he hopes more go next year. He continued, “The weather cooperated and the only injuries were sunburns and mosquito bites.”