March 28, 2024

Brian Bleakney leads Newton Trap Team

SEARSBORO — Brian Bleakney drew down on the clay pigeons flying, despite windy conditions, in Saturday’s high school trap shoot to claim second place in the varsity male division. He broke 40 targets, one bird behind first place.

Overall, Newton’s varsity team struggled during the competition, finishing last in the nine-team varsity division. Other teams competing were host Grinnell, BGM, Centerville, North Mahaska and Montezuma at the Big Springs Shooting Range.

“Overall, scores for Saturday were lower than we typically see by this stage of the season,” Newton head coach Paul Klein said. “The windy conditions really mess with the flight of the targets, making it a lot tougher. Most of our shooters are having a difficult time adjusting for these kinds of conditions and their scores show it.”

The Newton junior varsity squad placed fifth out of six teams. Allison Ulrey shot a 37 to take second place in the junior varsity female division. Dallas Schaeffer was Newton’s top junior varsity male shooter, finishing 15th with a score of 27.

Newton competed in a skeet and 5-stand sporting clays shoot against Pella Friday at Big Springs Shooting Range.

Bryce Romick posted Newton’s best scores in both events. He shot a 43 out of 50 in skeet to take sixth place out of 19 and hit 46 out of 50 targets in 5-stand, placing third out of 17 shooters.

“It’s exciting to see members of the team placing toward the top against teams which have a lot more experience in skeet and sporting clays,” Klein said. “We have a few shooters who have the ability, they just don’t consistently perform at that level.”

The Newton Trap Team competes in a trap shoot Saturday at the Marshall County Gun Club in Marshalltown.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com