•  VanZee places 13th in individual competition for the Lakers

With an amazing sendoff, the Lakers traveled down to Prior Lake to compete at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake last Friday.  It was probably the hottest day of the year with the heat index around 97 degrees mid day. 

“I don’t know how those kids could stand to be out there in that blazing sun and barely a breath of wind, but they did.  And they competed with everything they had,” co-coach Jennie Stone said.  

Representing the team at the State Shoot were August Reichmann, Levi Schultz, Dylan VanZee, Mason Reichmann and Kyler Anderson, while alternates were Isaac Hennen and Jonathan Hagen.  The team shot in two 50-round sessions and the total out of 100 targets each would be used as the team score.  

The team came out strong in the first round with August shooting a 48, Levi a 50-straight, Dylan 48, Mason 47 and Kyler 47.  “We had three 25s that first session and a total of 240 out of possible 250 so we were still in the running for sure,” coach Stone said.  

Then the heat really came on. “The boys handled it well with staying hydrated and staying in the shade when they could, but the humidity causes extra things to think about such as your gun becoming slippery with sweat, and your hands are slippery, and your face is slippery; you get the idea.  

“They did have small towels they were using to help combat it, but it is just a little out of the regular routine, and that can throw shooters off a bit.”

During the second half, the team came in with August 45, Levi 49, Dylan 49, Mason 46 and Kyler 48 so the totals out of 100 were August 93, Levi 99, Dylan 97, Mason 93 and Kyler 95. 

“We ended up with a team total of 477-of-500 which is a very respectable score,” coach Stone said.  “The Lakers finished tied for 9th place out of 100 teams, and through tie breakers, they placed 12th.

“This team gave us everything they had for the day, and we are very very proud of them.  Remember, this is out of 333 teams that had participated in Alexandria.  Only 40 of those teams made it here to compete and 12th place out of 333 is a great showing!”.  

The top shooter for the Lakers was Levi Schultz with a personal best of 99×100 (“of course, all he could think about was the one that got away; he shot amazing!”).  

Winning the team title was United South Central with a score of 484×500.  That score is about 10 targets lower then the winner in past events proving the severity of the heat.

Fairmont placed second with a 482 and Roseau was third.  “These boys need to hold their heads very high,” Stone said.  “We have never placed this well at state, they have set the bar for next year!”.

For the individual championship, Kyler Anderson, Mason Reichmann and Dylan VanZee had to shoot another 100 targets. 

Anderson was first up.  He was already pretty pumped up because in the team event he had shot his personal best of 95×100.  And he went out and crushed the first 25 straight.  He ended with a 96×100, yet another personal best.  Kyler tied for 38th out of 100 shooters. 

Reichmann was the next individual shooter for us and he had a good showing finishing with 93×100 and adding another 25 straight patch to his collection. VanZee shot in the final round of individuals and crushed a 98×100.  

“The individual awards only went back eight places and there were three 100 straights, and nine 99×100 so Dylan did not medal, but finished tied for 13th place,” coach Stone said.  “It was an amazing experience and we are so glad all of these boys will be back next year.”

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