Panthers fare well in trap shooting

Submitted article by Alicia Yocum

The Mt. Pleasant Panther Trap Team traveled to Ottumwa May 1 for a 50-target event hosted by Cardinal-Pekin and followed up the next day with the Scholastic Clay Target Program Regionals held at the Stockdale Gun Club in Ackley.

Mt. Pleasant had a strong showing in both locations and brought home multiple squad and team trophies as well as individual medals.

Cardinal Pekin Dust Devils had 265 registered athletes for the day.

The varsity group started the day early due to prom. The early start provided favorable conditions and good scores. The senior group earned a first-place squad award in junior varsity competition with the Panther JV Gold squad consisting of Addison McGehearty, Logan Borders, Franklin Tousignant, Courtney Raub and Jakin Bunnell. The varsity captured first place with Panther Varsity Gold consisting of Jenna Smith, Jacob Bailey, Tanner Black, Lane Hart and Gabe Bolin.

The afternoon group brought home first despite windy conditions with the Panther intermediate advanced squad of Izaac Zihlman, Roen Bailey, Gus Roberts, Keagan Ellington and Alex Calhoun.

In individual men classes, Izaac Zihlman was second for intermediate advanced. For varsity men, Tyler Simon was third and Tanner Black first.

For individual ladies, Gigi Olson was second in intermediate entry. The junior varsity ladies had a strong showing, sweeping the top five with Summer Schroeder in fifth, Emma Wagenknecht in fourth, Erin Gavin in third, Courtney Raub in second and Addison McGehearty taking the top spot. On the varsity ladies side, Lysha Bunnell captured first and came away with the high overall lady for the day.

From Ottumwa, part of the team traveled to Ackley for the SCTP Regional event. This event consisted of 100 singles targets, 100 handicap targets and 100 doubles targets. A total of 422 athletes attended the events hosted by the Scholastic Clay Target Program. It was a perfect day for competing at the Stockdale Gun Club and the awards proved it with the Panthers bringing home quite a collection from the various events.

In the singles team event, the Panther Senior Squad of Jenna Smith, Jacob Bailey, Tyler Simon, Addison McGehearty and Erin Gavin ended the day in third. For the Intermediate group, Izaac Zihlman, Roen Bailey, Mason Yocum, Gus Roberts and Alex Calhoun brought home a second-place finish.

On the men’s individual side, Mason Yocum was second in intermediate entry and Izaac Zilhman second in intermediate advanced. For the women, Addison McGehearty ended in second, and in varsity Jenna Smith also finished the day in second place.

In the handicap event, the team of Roen Bailey, Izaac Zihlman, Mason Yocum, Alex Calhoun and Kane Foreseen took home a third-place finish. On the individual side, in men’s intermediate entry, Mason Yocum was third and for varsity ladies Jenna Smith also finished in third.

The final event of the day was doubles trap. The team of Roan Bailey, Izaac Zihlman, Alex Calhoun, Gus Roberts, and Mason Yocum won a first-place trophy. For individuals, Mason Yocum was first in intermediate entry men, Izaac Zihlman third in intermediate advanced men, Addison McGehearty first for the junior varsity ladies and Jenna Smith ended second for varsity ladies.

All the athletes did well because the team is fortunate to have talented shooters and good coaches to help improve skill sets. It is a great opportunity for youth not interested in other sports to take part in team, squad and individual events. The Mt. Pleasant Panther Trap team promotes discipline while encouraging the athletes to have fun.

The Panthers have three more Saturday shoots before Iowa SCTP State Championship events begin June 8.