605 Sports Staff

MASON, Mich. — The Winner/Colome trap shooting team had a spectacular day one at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championships in Mason Michigan. 

The team, coached by Tim Pravacek, hit 481 of 500 targets and is currently in 11th place after Friday's preliminary round. The Winnter/Colome team qualified for Sunday's finals.  

“I’m really proud of our team,” Winner/Colome trap shooter Katie Welker said. “Jack Anderson finished with a 99, I had a 98, Jude Sargent had a 96, Hunter Shippy a 95 and Faith Covey a 93.” 

Originally, Covey was going to be an alternate on the team. But after going through a round of shooting qualification this summer against her teammates, she won a spot in the starting rotation of shooters. 

Covey ran into some trouble today on the first station but bounced back with a solid round. 

“On the first box on the first station Faith’s gun jammed and she had to use her backup gun,” Welker said. “She missed two early shots and you could tell she was a little frustrated. I told her to calm down and she really pulled through for us.” 

Winner/Colome, along with Pierre, Britton-Hecla and Groton Area, are the four teams from South Dakota competing at the national competition. 

The top 80 teams qualify for Sunday's finals with another South Dakota team, Groton Area advancing after finishing 48th on day one. Britton-Hecla finished in 91st place while Pierre ended the day in 102nd place. 

Around 230 teams competed in today’s team competition with around 1,800 individuals competing in tomorrow’s singles competition. 

Hunter Osborn and Noah Manke are also part of the Winner/Colome team and are serving as alternates at the event.