Mules trap team competes in national championship

The Poplar Bluff High School Trap Team got the experience of a lifetime by competing on a national stage.

The Mules had a busy weekend competing at the 2023 AIM National Youth Trap Shooting Championship at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL.

“It was a great trip, and all the kids had a great time,” said head coach Shea DePew. “They were able to experience what a big shooting competition feels like, and even though none of them placed, I think they all learned a lot and shot some of their best numbers.”

During the tournament, the team competed in singles, handicaps and doubles trap along with 1536 other youth from across the country. There were three members who competed in all the events.

Mason Murphy Foster led the team with a score of 382/400, followed by Eli DePew with a score of 354/400 and Emma DaGaris with a score of 336/400. In all age divisions and classes, there were 855 shooters, which Foster placed in the 85th spot.

The Mules had a complete singles team that consisted of DePew, Foster, DaGaris, Abbigail Gillum and Cooper Cunningham. They finished 9th out of 24 teams in the Junior Class C Division.

Stepping up into the individual competition were Haiydn Winterbower and Dalton Rommel. Winterbower reached a huge milestone in his trap career by shooting his first 25 straight since starting the program in March. There were also some personal best shots by Foster, Gillum, Cunningham, Winterbower and Rommel.

Overall, DePew said it was a great competition by the Poplar Bluff trap team, and he was impressed by their growth in facing off against a very high level of competition.

“The kids did an outstanding job, and we all had an awesome time,” he said. “We are looking forward to our team growing and the accomplishments we are going to achieve in the future. This is a great event for the children to attend to broaden their horizons and meet new people who love trap. I believe the kids left there with more confidence in their abilities.”

The Mules' next competition will be August 19-20 at Linn Creek, MO.