Bemidji High School Trap Team Taking Aim at Clay Target National Title

Fresh off winning the MSHSL Clay Target State Title, the Bemidji Lumberjack trap team now focuses their gaze on the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship. The event, held annually in July in Mason, Michigan, will host 240 teams and 1,800 athletes from across the nation.

Bemidji is sending two of the five state championship team members, as well as three other top performers from the full trap team and two alternates. One of the shooters, Avery Kehoe, went to nationals last year and believes her experience at the range could be one of the keys to their success.

“It’s really exciting,” said Kehoe. “[A]t the start of the season, I didn’t do very good. So, I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to go, but it’s been something that I wanted to do my senior year, so I’m glad I get to go this year.”

She continued, “It’s not as nerve racking, knowing that I’ve already been there and shot there, and know the atmosphere and what I’m shooting with. It’s really different with shooting at different places. Even in Park Rapids and Prior Lake, it matters a lot with the atmosphere around it or what’s even behind the trap house. I’ve shot with most of [my teammates] before, so [I’m] kind of just helping them with it.”

Roman Vold, who was also part of the state title team, is the only other member of the squad with experience at nationals and will be making his third appearance. Six of the seven team members will also be shooting individually at nationals.

Practice sessions are Jul. 8-9, with team qualifying Jul. 10 and individual qualifying Jul. 11. The championship shoot is Jul. 12.

The Lumberjacks competing at nationals are:

• Roman Vold* – state champ, third year
• Avery Kehoe* – second year
• Kolter Braunhausen – state champ, first year
• Kenzie Wilson* – first year
• Keegan Thompson* – first year
• Jarred Haman* – alternate, first year
• Caleb Peterson* – alternate, first year

*Shooting individually at nationals