The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Birdbusters trap shooting team had 47 students from Franklin County participating, including 23 high school and 24 middle school students.
Birdbusters Coach Rex Carr on the work ethic student athletes have brought to the range.
“It’s very rewarding to work with these young athletes. They are very smart. They don’t mess around. When the chips are down, they really can jump in and make things happen,” says Carr. “What they do to learn how to acquire those skills, to sharpen and hone those skills, will carry off into the future with them. It’s just such a joy and a pleasure of mine to be able to be a part of that.”
At the Iowa state meet earlier this month, the Birdbusters were among over 3,300 entries and part of seven days of competition at the Cedar Falls Gun Club. The H-D-CAL varsity doubles team placed 22nd out of 71 with a squad score 414/500. In the individual men’s varsity singles, Josh Wohlford placed 46th out of 967 with a score of 196/200. In the individual ladies varsity singles, Jenna Koons placed 46th out of 233 with a score of 185/200. In the individual men’s varsity doubles, Wohlford placed 50th out of 378 with a score of 90/100. In the individual ladies varsity doubles, Koons placed 26th out of 81 with a score of 79/100.
Carr on the valuable skills trapshooting teaches.
“To really knuckle down when things are not going well. You learn how to get back on and start getting the wheels turning again. These traits are very important in the future for these young athletes. When you can focus as hard as they do and be that consistent, 200 shots on a moving target and break 196 out of 200. That can carry over into everything you do and everything you try to endeavor in your life.”
Carr on how the community can learn more about the team.
“We will put out information on the school scholastic level, with handouts and so forth. We can have people come and sit in on our introductory meetings. Students, parents, everybody is welcome to attend, learn about it, see if it might be something they want to get into. We will start that, I believe it is in January of each year. People are invited to come and learn about it that way as well. We had 47 students this year. We’re always looking at maintaining that and also getting all kinds of new ones.”
They concluded their 2025 season with an awards night and fun shoot at Stockdale’s Gun Club outside Ackley on Thursday.
Follow the latest with team on Facebook.
