Mt. Pulaski shotgun team wins first in skeet and third in trap at ILSHSCTL state tournament
MOUNT PULASKI, Ill. — Years ago, many schools once had target shooting teams associated with their ROTC programs, however after some historic events such as the Vietnam War and more recently the Columbine massacre in 1999, most schools eliminated the sport completely. Shooting sports are however on the rise again in popularity across the country.
In 2008, the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League began with three teams and 30 student athletes. Participation doubled for five years straight growing in popularity across the Minnesota before spreading to other states. Today the USA High School Clay Target League, which is independent of state high school associations, has 36,690 participants in 1,310 teams and covers 34 states making shotgun sports the fastest-growing high school extracurricular activity in the nation.
The Illinois State High School Clay Target League (ILSHSCTL) began in 2016. Mt. Pulaski High School is a local participant of the league and has shown immediate success, winning three state championships since the team began participating. The Mt. Pulaski Hilltoppers Shotgun Sports team began in 2017. In 2018, they won their first state title in Trap. The following year, ILSHSCTL added Skeet and the Toppers claimed the first state title in Skeet. COVID prohibited a state tournament in 2020, so the Hilltoppers were excited to return and attempt to repeat their first place finish in Skeet in 2021. They did just that, and more. They also took first place in 5-Stand, a new discipline added this year, and a third place finish in Trap.
Shooting sports are a natural extension of rural life for the Hilltoppers. Many of the athletes have grown up in a country setting with guns around, so they have had plenty of time to learn gun safety and hone in on their shooting skills. The Hilltoppers have had multiple athletes selected to All-State teams in Trap, Skeet and 5-Stand. The team also has a former member who is currently shooting for Kansas State University.
2021 Mt Pulaski Hilltopper Shotgun Sports Results:
State Tournament Skeet:
– 1st place Team
– Alec Martin – 2nd place Varsity Male
– Isaac Pulliam – 3rd place Novice Male
State Tournament Trap:
– 3rd place Team
– Alec Martin – 1st place Male & High Overall (100/100)
All-State Trap:
– Alec Martin
– Clayton Mortimer
– Cullen Tyson
All-State Skeet:
– Mark Landers
All-State 5 Stand:
– Jackson Geriets
– Clay Leonard
– Jameson Lowe
– Alec Martin
– Bobby McDonough
– Clayton Mortimer
Congratulations to the entire team for your 2021 season success!
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