By Randy Combs
Hey Trap fans! The 2023 regular season has come to an end and I'm very pleased to report the Deerfield Spartans Trap Team has finished in second place in Class 1A, Conference 6 in the Kansas State Clay target League. This year Conference 6 consisted of five teams that include Triplains School District
in first place with 1,557.6 total points, Deerfield High School placed second with a total of 1,502.00 points, White City High School in third place with a total of 1,410.00 points, Ell-Saline High School in fourth place with a total of 969.50 points and Minneola High School finishing in fifth place with a total of 936.50 points. I would like to take some time to brag about our girls on the team this year. Brenda Houghton placed first among female shooters in Conference 6 this year with a season average of
18.10. Her season average increased from last year by .90. Alyssa Smith placed second with a season average of 16.0. Her season average increased by 1.60 from 2022 and Adelina Oropeza-Smith finished in sixth place with an average of 12.30.
Her average increased by 7.90. Way to go ladies! Our boys did well this year as well. Brayden Huband was our top male shooter. Brayden placed fourth in Conference 6 with a season average of 21.0 points. Treyton Hill and Gabriel Crist tied in fifth place in Conference 6, both with a season average of 20.90. Tannon York placed tenth with a season average of 20.0. Topher York placed sixteenth with a season average of 17.80. and Levi Crist placed twenty-fifth with a season average of 15.90.
This year we also had three boys shoot straight 25's. Tannon York and Gabriel Crist shot straight 25's in the first week of competition and Treyton Hill shot a straight 25 in the third week of competition. This is something in trap shooting some never achieve. Well done men. As with every season we have had some great people help without being asked. I want to recognize the Lakin Gun Club and the board of directors who provide a place to shoot, targets and some of the ammunition. We also have many who donate and make it possible to buy ammunition.
Tim Claar owner of Top Guns provided ammunition at a reduced cost. Our team also received a donation from the Deerfield Brotherhood. I would also like to thank Leroy Brown, Chris Harper and Gilbert York who helped with practice and anything I needed to help the team. I want to especially thank my assistant coach, Brett Smith. There is always a ritual of things to do before and after the kids show up to shoot and I really couldn't have done it without the help and support of Brett. Brett also has a good rapport with the kids and can instruct and correct things when needed. Thank you Brett! Even though regular season shooting is over our team will be traveling to Sedgwick Kansas for the Kansas State High School Clay Target League State Trap Championship on June 17. Please wish our team well.