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Ready… Aim… First! That sums up the Canby trap shooting team’s performance at the Oregon High School Clay Target League’s 2022 state tournament this weekend at Hillsboro Trap and Skeet Club, as the state’s largest high school trap team was also named its best.
Super sophomore Tyler Schweitzer paced the field of nearly 600 amateur sharpshooters, scoring a stellar 97 out of 100 on the day, and senior Brandon Slater, a longtime leader for the team, tied for second with 96 to lead the Cougs to their first-ever state trap shooting championship.
Eighth-grade prodigy “Aimin'” Ayden Griesenauer blasted 91 of 100 targets, sophomore Rylie Sullivan added 90 and junior Elijah Rowley scored 89 for the Cougs. Canby’s overall team mark of 463 was just enough to squeak by class 2A conference rival Newberg and Oregon City, which tied for second with 460 each.
Thirty-six athletes competed for Canby.
“It was a great day,” head coach Chuck McClaugherty said. “It was warm, but the team had lots of pop-up shades and trees to keep cool and stay hydrated.”
The Cougar athletes also enjoyed a barbecue with their teammates, coaches and families as they reveled in the spectacular performance on one of the fast-growing sport’s largest stages. A total of 580 high school shooters from across Oregon participated in the two-day tournament.
“The biggest factors in winning today came down to the athletes that have put in the time practicing year-round and were able to keep calm and focused with the spotlight on them,” said an excited McClaugherty, who has led the team since district officials approved its formation in 2016.
“I’m just super happy that all that hard work these athletes have been putting in all year at practice is paying off. Huge thank you to all the volunteer coaches, scorekeepers and families — and Canby Rod and Gun Club for allowing us to use their facilities.”
McClaugherty also shouted out the CRGC Educational Foundation Inc. for its sponsorship and local magician and business owner Scott Anderson, who hosted two fundraisers in support of the team last month.
Next up is the USA High School Clay Target League National Championships on July 7-10 in Mason, Michigan. The Cougs will send a five-man contingent this year of Slater, Schweitzer, Rowley, Kaeden Eide and Isaac Odell.
