Six students from Pratt Community College traveled to the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio to compete in the 2016 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target Championships from March 29 through April 3.
This is the sixth consecutive year that PCC has competed. Colleges and Universities from all over the country compete in different divisions and events including Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University, and Kansas State University. PCC was the only Kansas 2-year institution in attendance. PCC instructor and Shooting Sports Coach Luke Laha said he is happy with the outcome of the competition and the PCC students did well going up against larger institutions.
“There isn’t a junior college division in this competition yet,” said Laha. “PCC was in Division III for having more than five students on our team. In this division compared to the other two year schools we took third this year.”
The students who competed this year were Mason Welsch, Josh Locke, Payton Miller, Jarah Snyder, Brandace Albright, and Addy Smith. In Division III, PCC competed in American Trap, American Skeet, International Trap, International Skeet, Sporting Clay, and Five Stand.
“My favorite event was International Skeet though Josh and I did well at the Sporting Clays event,” said Miller. “It was challenging and it was something new. We normally don’t get to practice for it because we don’t have the facilities for that type of shooting.”
Miller said that the competition was a great opportunity and hopes that future PCC students are able to participate.
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“We want to be able to send at least 15 students to nationals next year,” said Laha. “Every student who has the opportunity to go is funded by sponsors and fundraising. That is how Shooting Sports is able to experience weekend shooting trips and this annual competition.”
As the Wildlife Operations and Outfitting (WOO) program at PCC grows so does the shooting club. Laha expects his numbers to grow for the program and the sport next year which means they will need to fundraise more money to be able to attend and compete at events. For more information about the WOO program and Shooting Sports or to become a sponsor you can contact Laha at[email protected].
