The Minnewaska Area Laker trap team took the line in Prior Lake for the State Championship, Friday, June 20.   

“The first box was a little tricky as the team navigated the wind that was very erratic,” coach Jennie Stone said.  “The targets would sometimes be normal, and the next bird would dive so the boys had to really stay with them.  All our practice on our wobble trap paid off for sure!”

The second box of the round was stronger for the Lakers, and both Dylan VanZee and Onyx Johnson broke 25-straights for a 49×50 and after the first half the team was down 12 targets.  

During the second round, VanZee was in the zone and broke all 50 targets, giving him a 75-straight and a total of 99×100 for the day. Onyx Johnson broke 95, August Reichmann and Levi Schultz added 93’s and Isaac Hennen rounded out the squad with a 92. 

The team finished with a total of 472 x 500 on the day and finished in 5th place out of the 39 teams that qualified (and a total of 340 teams for the year).  Park Rapids won the championship with a 486 followed by Spring Grove with a 483, Lakeville South with 479, Stewartville with a 477 and Minnewaska.  

“Last year, we tied for 8th and by reverse run ended in 12th place,” coach Stone said.  “Our goal this year was to place better and we did just that.  So, I’ll just put it out there, next year I think we will trophy at this shoot!” 

After awards for the team portion of the Shoot, it was time for the individuals in the top 100 in the state to take the line and shoot for Individual State Champ.  

Dylan VanZee was on the first flight and started with a 24, broke the middle 50, and ended with a 24 for a total of 98×100.  The top 8 shooters were awarded medals.  

“It is crazy to think that you can miss only two targets and still not place,” Stone said.  “There were three 100-straights and seven 99’s.  And, with only eight trophies, the reverse run tiebreaker was used and two of the shooters with 99’s did not place either.

“We are so proud of this team; they gave us everything they had today, and should stand very proud.”

VanZee ended the competition in 18th place out of 100 shooters in the Individual shoot. He qualified to compete in the top 100 out of 10,866 shooters this season.  “That’s no small feat to say the least,” coach Stone said.  “To say the coaches are proud is an understatement!”

The Lakers were coached this year by John Stone, Jason VanZee, Bob Jacobs, Mark Becker and Jennie Stone.