World class effort-Franklin County trap team competes in Illinois

Franklin County youth trap shooters gather for a group picture at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta, Ill.

Last weekend saw a contingent of Franklin County trap shooters make their mark at ATA Grand American World Trapshooting Championships in Sparta, Ill.

Cedar Hill Trap instructor Wade Willingham, ten youth trap shooters and parents spent July 31 and Aug. 1-2 at the championship, where the young athletes gave it their best shot at a number of events. Willingham said the competition offered sporting clays and skeet shoots for the first time this year, and four of shooters participated in these events. Coming in second in both skeet and sporting clays in their age division was the team of Camron Burks, Colyn Humphres, Peyton Flangan and Walsh Nelson.

Sunday was handicaps and doubles; no Franklin County competitor placed.

Monday and Tuesday, Willingham said the trap shooters shot 100 apiece, the ten young people divided into two teams. The Junior Squad of Cole Willingham, Blake Daily, Jacob Lynch, Trey McWilliams and Jackson Mitchell achieved sixth place (Junior D Class). The Sub-Junior Squad of Burks, Humphres, Flanagan, Nelson and Kolten Robinson achieved ninth place. In individual honors, Trey McWilliams took third place Junior D Class Singles and second place High Overall for Junior D Class.

“He is one of our newest ones, and he has come a long way,” Willingham said.

Also in individual honors, Flanagan took third highest overall in Pre-Sub D Class.

“I’m proud of all of them. They all did excellent,” Willingham said.

A total of 1,375 youth trap shooters participated in the competition, an event Willingham promotes because the values it teaches as part of AIM and the ATA, like integrity and marksmanship.

“It’s just a great competition. They are learning gun safety, and they’re learning respect for others. The list could go on and on, you know,” Willingham said.