Piper Wynia, a sophomore at Luverne High School, achieved the second-best average this fall in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League.
Through the five-week fall season, Wynia averaged 22.3 out of 25 shots in one round, and she had two perfect 25s.
“I did it the first night of league (Sept. 19) and the last night of league (Oct. 24),” Wynia said.
“I was scared I would miss the last one, but when I hit it (the last clay), I let out a breath to the cheers of everyone. It’s pretty cool.”
Also shooting Perfect 25s during the fall season for the Luverne High School team were teammates Alex Dewispelaere, Landon Ahrendt and Chase Matthiesen.
Topping Wynia in the Conference 9 shooting average was Alexis Schweiss from Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop with a 22.9 average.
James Meyer Jr. of Tri-City United High School had the top boys’ season average of 23.7.
Wynia joined the trap shooting team as a sixth-grader, following in her sister Leah’s footsteps.
This summer she joined the summer trap league, shooting with her mom, Julie, and dad, Ryan.
Coach Scott Loosbrock noticed the extra work made the difference in increasing Wynia’s shooting average.
“She worked really hard and did a fabulous job getting there,” he said.
Loosbrock organized the grades 6-12 trapshooting team in the spring of 2017 with the focus on the spring season.
The fall season is primarily used as practice for the spring season.
“All the kids did well this season,” Loosbrook said. “The more they do it, the better they get.”
Loosbrock said he is excited for the upcoming spring season, which may be his last.
“I’m running out of time during the day,” said Loosbrock, who operates his own business. “I’m not stepping down, but I’m looking for someone this spring to be the head coach.”
Several volunteers already assist students during the one-night-a-week league shoot, which Wynia said has taught her the shooting fundamentals.
“I like the coaches because they are so encouraging,” she said.
Wynia also likes that the team doesn’t travel. All shooting is done at the Luverne Sportsmen’s Club.
Only the state championship and MSHSL state tournament are conducted elsewhere.
Anyone interested in being head coach should contact Loosbrock at 507-360-5418.