Trapshooting is a big part of Adeline Kotzer’s life. Not only did the Groton teen compete in last month’s state high school tournament, she participated in the South Dakota ATA Trapshooting Tournament this past weekend at the Aberdeen Gun Club, and also served as a volunteer.

Kotzer wasn’t completely satisfied with her shooting this past weekend, but kept things in perspective.

“It went OK,” Kotzer said. “I didn’t do my best, but I didn’t do terrible.”

When Kotzer wasn’t shooting, she was helping out and volunteering. She kept score for shooters and picked up shells after the rounds had finished.

“It’s been great,” Kotzer said. “They’re all really nice; I’ve had a couple people that are iffy, but overall, it’s been really good.”

Kotzer decided she wanted to volunteer after her coach brought it up.

“My coach said I should do this and I was like, all right I guess I’ll get my volunteer hours,” Kotzer said.

With Kotzer being a shooter herself, helping out and getting to watch this weekend has helped her with her own shooting.

“I for sure have gained more patience,” Kotzer said. “Also, taking my time and breathing. If I lose one, it’s not that big of a deal. Just get over it.”

MONTANA TEEN TRAVELING THE MIDWEST

Deegan Cavanaugh is a 14-year-old from Montana. He competed in this past weekend’s tourney and is already preparing for his next one.

Cavanaugh has been shooting for two years and after a year of his grandfather cleaning his gun for him, he now does it himself.

“My grandpa tells me every time you shoot it’s best to clean your gun,” Cavanaugh said. “You want to get your gun all lubricated to make it much easier for you. If you don’t do it, you get rust over time when you don’t clean your gun all the time.”

Cavanaugh made sure to get his gun ready, because he now will move on to his next state shoot.

“I went to California two weeks ago,” Cavanaugh said. “Now we’re here. Then we’re going to leave for Iowa to shoot for a week. Then we’re going back home.”

Cavanaugh says he enjoys being able to go to different tournaments outside of Montana.

“It’s fun,” Cavanaugh said. “You get to go to different places outside of where you live.”

To prepare for those events and improve his shooting, Cavanaugh makes sure he puts the work in and shoots often. During the school year Cavanaugh shoots every Sunday and in the summer it’s every Wednesday.

All that practice has started to pay off.

“Well, I shot my first 50 in handicap today,” Cavanaugh said. “So, I shot good today.”

In total, Cavanaugh shot more than 90 out of 100 and he’s looking to improve in his next tournament.

“My goal is going to try to shoot 100 straight,” Cavanaugh said. “Also, be in the 27 (handicap) because my grandpa is on the 26-yard.”

SIOUX FALLS MAN ENJOYS SOCIAL ASPECT OF SHOOTING

Trapshooting is a sport that creates a lot of unique experiences. Sioux Falls native Roy Balk enjoys the fact that the sport allows him to travel, and meet new people.

Balk has been shooting for 30 years and has been going to the South Dakota State Tournament since 2002.

In that time, Balk has seen a lot of new faces.

“I’ve traveled a little bit here and there,” Balk said. “And you just meet people from all over the world.”

Balk has done his share of traveling in his 30 years and now plans to do a little more as he is heading down to Missouri to compete in tournament following the one he just competed in.

​Balk got his first taste of shooting when he was a boy growing up.

“My dad took me when I was 12-years-old,” Balk said. “But I didn’t shoot because I couldn’t afford it. … Then later my older brother started shooting so then I took it up.”

And like many other people, Balk’s biggest takeaway from the sport of trapshooting isn’t awards or recognition, but as Balk simply said, “The people.”