After a two-week delay due to heavy snow and snow pack and hours and hours of snow removal, the Minnewaska Area High School trap team was finally able to start the season at the Glenwood Club recently.

“Without all of the volunteer hours that were put in by the parents and shooters, we still would not have our club open” said co-coach John Stone. “We had a contingency plan to start up in Alexandria, but the hard work and a little help from Mother Nature made a huge difference in the conditions at our club.”

The trap team’s schedule has been adjusted a little due to the late spring.  Instead of starting Sunday, April 16 for official league competition, the new starting date will be Sunday, April 23.  The team has also added a date for Thursday, April 27 (replacing April 16) and then will resume action for the next three Sundays (April 30, May 7 and May 14) before getting ready for state, June 13 in Alexandria.

“We have been put in Class 2A, Conference 4 for the season,” coach Stone said.  “This is determined by team size, not by school size.  This year, we have 24 team members.”

Minnewaska Area will be competing this season against Cambridge Christian School, Deer River, Eastview, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Maple River, Mesabi East and Mora.

According to Stone, there are nine classes and each class has anywhere from 2-8 conferences in it.  Class 2A has seven conferences this spring.  And, during the state tourney in Alexandria, Minnewaska Area will be shooting against all seven conferences in Class 2A.  

“To say that the kids were excited about getting the season underway is an understatement,” coach Stone said.  “They all came ready to compete, and what a great showing!  Dylan VanZee was top shooter for the week, crushing 50-straight.  There were also 25-straights achieved by Makayla Hagen and Levi Schultz.”  

Added co-coach Jennie Stone, “I was so impressed with the shooting today because some of these kids have not shot since last summer.  And, to see them come out with scores in the mid 20’s and up was so fun.”

Isaac Hennen was the next high shooter with an impressive 23-and-23 for a 46 total.  “Isaac tends to be very consistent and to see him start the season out only missing 4 targets out of 50 is a good indication of how his season will be,” said coach Stone.  “We have some new team members this year and they look very promising.  It is always exciting to watch them grow and learn the sport.  Then, one day the switch flips, and they get it, and their scores start to soar. It’s so inspiring.

“The team selected Mason Reichmann and Levi Schultz as team captains for the 2023 season.”