Locals have strong showing at national trap shoot

FORT MADISON - Oppressive heat and humidity didn’t seem to bother the Fort Madison Clay Crusher Trap Team shooters who participated in the AIM Grand National Championship event in Sparta, Illinois this past weekend.
Temperatures were in the upper 90’s with a Real Feel of 108 on Saturday as 15 of team members represented Fort Madison in three trap events: Singles, Doubles, and Handicap on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Once again the Clay Crushers were able to bring home trophies and personal bests.  There were 1,662 registered youth shooters from all over the nation who shot over the course of three days ranging from the Pre-Sub (5^th grade) thru Junior Gold (College)
“When our team goes to compete at the AIM Grand Nationals, we know that we are facing some of the best competition around the country,” said Coach Chris Azinger.  “Shooters and their teams do not make this journey to Sparta, Illinois to compete for three days if they don’t believe they are not one of the best shooters in the country”.  
The AIM Grand Nationals started on Saturday with the Handicap competition.  Teammates Landon Leenerts and Brett Azinger were each awarded one yard punches by shooting 98 & 97 scores, while Edward Schroeder earned a ½ yard punch for his 96 score.  These “punches” increase each shooters yardage that they shoot from making it more difficult in future Handicap events.
For the Doubles Event: former Fort Madison Clay Crusher team members Anna Schroeder and Abram Lorence, who both now shoot for Southeastern Community College, brought home trophies.  Anna Schroeder won Junior Gold Class C Runner-Up while Abram Lorence finished as Junior Gold Overall Runner-Up in Doubles.
Finally, the Singles Event was held over 2 days (Sunday & Monday), whereas AIM shooters shot at 100 targets each day.  Top scores included Edward Schroeder running 200 straight. Byron DiPrima and Arren Harrington both hit their first 100 straights.  DiPrima, Anna Schroeder, Landon Leenerts, and Trevor Edwards also hit a 99/100 in Singles. 
Edward Schroeder was one of 11 competitors in a shoot off for Overall Singles Event Champion, who each shot a perfect 200/200 in Singles.  During the shoot-off between these 11 competitors, Schroeder was able to make it as one of the last two shooters.  Edward shot an amazing 272 consecutive targets during the shoot off before missing a target (Note: with the 200 in the competition and the shoot off run of 272, Edward shot a total of 472 straight Singles targets before missing).  Edward finished the night earning the title of Singles Junior Champion.  “After the first day, there were 41 shooters that had shot perfect scores of 100/100. That just shows the level of competition that’s there at Sparta,” added Azinger.
Also, in the Singles event:  Byron DiPrima, who competed in the Junior class “A” division, also won Junior Class A Champion after also having to compete in a shoot off.  DiPrima shot his first ever 100 straight in Singles after posting a 99 the day before for a combined score of 199/200.  “Byron shot personal best scores at Nationals in all events he competed in. He was on fire all week” praised Azinger.
Abram Lorence also won a trophy as a Squad - Singles Class B Champions with squad-mates from his SCC team.
Azinger added, “I couldn’t be more proud of these young shooters. Trap shooting is a tough mental game, and you add the heat that we’ve had down here…it’s just tough.  It’s been fun watching them improve through the years; and I’m proud of all of them.”