Roadrunners shooting sports teams compete in Trenton, Columbia

The State Fair Community College (SFCC) shooting sports team competed against North Central Missouri College in an exhibition shoot Wednesday, Sept. 28 in Trenton. The event consisted of 100 birds of American Trap.

North Central Missouri College and SFCC both had two squads at the event, with Blake Zimmerscheild, Xane Anderson, Paiton Williams, Emmi Johnson, Averi Echoff, Lilie Lett, Kaidence Cleveland, Sidney Douglas, and Gracy Wilson representing the Roadrunners.

"Gracy performed really well for us at the event," said SFCC coach Sarah Manuel. "This was Gracy's first year shooting and at the beginning of the year, she was shooting in the single digits and at this event, she shot in the high 70's low 80's. She has definitely put a lot of hard work into improving. Emmi Johnson is also a very competitive person. She is a returner from last year who shot in the high 80's at the event. That year of experience makes you more comfortable out on the line."

North Central had the top shooter and the top squad. Coach Manuel was happy with her team's performance.

"Our kids put up a hard fight," said Manuel. "It was good for our student-athletes to get the experience in competition."

SFCC participated in the Missouri Valley Fall Shootout on Saturday, Oct. 1 in Columbia. That event consisted of 100 Sporting Clays and 50 Double Trap. SFCC took five squads to the event.

"It was an opportunity to take our whole team," said Manuel. "It was a great opportunity for our student-athletes to be able to compete close to home and for their families to be able to see them compete."

Missouri Valley took top squad. SFCC came in second with 555 birds killed. NJ McKenzie led the team with a total of 119 out of 150 birds killed. Will VanVactor scored 106 out of 150.

"Will has stepped up a few times," said Manuel. "I'm really excited to see his passion and drive moving forward."

With the event held so close to Sedalia, many of the competitors' families attended the shoot.

"I was really excited to see all the family members there at the competition," said Manuel. "Some of our trips are pretty far away and it is difficult for families to see their student-athletes compete. It was nice for our team to have that support system and let all the family members see what their kids are good at, it was pretty awesome."

David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics