Youth head to state trapshoot

The Alabama State Trapshoot is set for this weekend, and with weeks of practice under their belts, youth trapshooters from Cedar Hill Trap Range in Russellville are ready for action.

The AIM State Shoot and Amateur Trap Shoot will be held at Dixie Skeet and Trap in Matthews, just outside of Montgomery. Wade Willingham, instructor at Cedar Hill, will take 13 youth trapshooters with him, ages 11-17.

“Last year we didn’t have but five,” Willingham said. “The year before that we had 24. It just sort of comes and goes.”

The youth will participate in handicap, doubles and singles events, with Cedar Hill boasting entries in both AIM and ATA competitions. In AIM events, ten participants will compete in two squads of five, and all 13 participants will compete as individuals.

“They’re doing great,” Willingham said. “Most of them just started back in February, but they have really been working hard. We practice every Tuesday evening.”

Willingham said these children, who come to Cedar Hill from across Franklin and Colbert counties – and a few even hail from Mississippi – have been working diligently to improve their scores. He said he hopes the community wishes them luck this weekend. “I hope we bring home the trophies,” Willingham said.

An account has been set up through the Midway USA Foundation to benefit the Smokin’ Guns youth shooters. To donate, visit www.midwayusafoundation.org, click Donate to a Team, select Alabama from the state dropdown and search keyword “smokin.”