Target shooting has been a well-known activity dating back to the 13th century. The sport evolved over centuries and in the 1800s skeet and trap shooting were introduced. Hotshots- Clay Target shooting is a rapidly growing sport among high schools in America and more teams and leagues commence each year.
In trap shooting there is a single machine in front of the shooters which launches a clay target in an unknown direction. The shooter will fire five shots from each of the five stations in this event and score out of 25.
Skeet contains a high house and a low house in a semi-circle area. The clay target is launched one at a time and then two at a time. The shooter rotates through a variety of shooting angles and there are 25 shots per round. The different heights of the houses from where the clay is launched and the angles add challenges for the person shooting.
Sporting clay is referred to as shotgun-golf because of having to move from location to location on a course where a shooter is faced with a different challenge at each station. It gives variety to the sport and simulates hunting scenarios.
The Xavier Hotshots participates in local events throughout the year and the Commissioners Cup in April. Xavier athletes have placed in the top three for the past three years in the Trap Cup and Skeet Cup at the state championship and they are consistently achieving success at each meet in between.
Shooting involves a certain amount of skill in order to be successful and the shooter must follow guidelines to safely shoot during practices and events. “Athletes need to learn each of the three disciplines (trap, skeet and sporting clay) and how they are played,” said Brian Trapp, head hotshots coach. “They most importantly need to learn how to handle a gun safely, learn how to stand, hold the gun, mount it, load it, where to look, where to point it, acquire the target and pull the trigger.”
Trapp has been the head coach for the past seven years and has helped the program flourish since obtaining the coaching position. “I had been contacted by a friend who told me that Xavier may need some help, and therefore I reached out to the head coach at the time,” Trapp said. “I went to a practice to help and he approved of me joining the coaching staff.”
Trapp tells each of his athletes that “success at the sport and also in life can only be accomplished if you work hard and practice daily.”
The coaching staff for hotshots creates an environment where the athletes improve in the sport and develop better techniques. “As I’ve gained a better understanding of the sport, I feel like I’ve been able to offer more help to my teammates,” said Kamea Oudman ‘27. “I also do some shoots outside of the hotshots team with a few of the other players, and I’ve been placing really well.”
A good and consistent training routine is key for an athlete to perform at her peak level during competitions. “The team gets to shoot a round before the event starts in order to check over things like where to keep our eyes and hold our guns,” said Oudman. “Personally, I make sure to relax before each competition, as stress is a factor in shooting.”
The coaches not only want the Xavier athletes to perform at the highest level during high school, but go on to the next level: college and even further. Many Xavier alums who shoot return to practice every once in a while according to Oudman. There has been one member of Xavier Hotshots to commit to a college for the sport. In April of 2020 Samantha Cardinal signed to continue her shooting career at Simpson College in Iowa.
Many colleges at all different levels offer shooting teams or programs allowing students to prosper at the college level. “I am hoping to go to a college with a clay target shooting club or team so I can continue to shoot,” Oudman said.
“I’m already scouting out coaches and teams in possible college areas,” said Ana Bramlett ‘25. “I’ve developed a true passion for this sport and I always look forward to practicing and competing.”
Xavier Hotshots recently competed at the January Fun Shoot in Tucson, Arizona. At the event, Aila Callahan placed first in the Varsity Trap event and Ellie Eaves placed third for the Varsity Skeet event.
The next event is the Commissioner’s Cup in April. The final event is The National Championship held in Iowa at the Cardinal Center where the top shooters across the nation compete. Hotshots members who meet the mark may shoot at The National Championship, but it is an optional event.
