2025 graduate Ethan Feuerborn aims to shoot during a Cardinal Clays practice Wednesday before nationals.
The Cardinal Clays trapshooting team completed its regular season as conference champions with eight athletes qualifying for the national competition.
Ethan Feuerborn, Kade Lindsay, Kent Lindsay, Lane Fugitt, Colton Bowser, Evie Hayes, Parker Devore and Pete Neis will compete against 1,800 other athletes in Michigan next week. The team placed first in its conference after competing in five competitions.
“Everyone wants to do well and make the podium,” coach Caleb Lewis said. “My goal is to get as many of my kids to compete on that last day in the championship rounds and then hopefully get some, if not all, of my kids on the podium.”
Feuerborn not only qualified for nationals, but also finished the season ranked as the top shooter in the state with a season average score of 24.8/25.
“It’s all a mental game once your mechanics are good,” he said. “I didn’t do very well at the actual state tournament, which is kind of typical when you don’t have a home court advantage. The level of focus you have to have is unmatched.”
Feuerborn joined the team his freshman year and looked up to the senior athletes’ ability to shoot. Growing up hunting, he learned he had a talent for trapshooting in high school. His top priority is not comparing himself to others, he said.
“I’m not expecting myself to win, but I’m definitely going to do my best,” he said.
Hayes finished the season with an average of 23.4 and was named the top female shooter in the conference. Hayes has been on the team since her freshman year as well.
“It’s really nice. I’ve bumped up and down my conference,” she said. “I’m proud about my average this season. Repetition, shooting more and not overthinking it.”
Hayes has goals of moving past the first round at nationals next week. Lewis is proud of the progress she has made that led her to this point, he said.
The team also had six athletes earn all-state badges. Neis and Fugitt both shot perfect scoring rounds at the state competition.
With the season extending into the summer, senior athletes still practice in the weeks after graduation to prepare for nationals, Lewis said.
“Our kids are competitors and that’s why they do this sport,” Lewis said. “You always want to see your kids improve and even compete on that national stage.”
Reach reporter Maya Smith at [email protected].