What it is and why to get involved
What is trap shooting, anyway?
The ingredients for a great day of trap shooting are a quality shotgun, clay pigeons (saucers which are designed to be blown to bits), and a skilled gunman with careful aim and a competitive spirit.
You too can shoot clay pigeons, thanks to Indiana Wesleyan University' trap shooting team. Originally established in 2022, this group offers students many unique and valuable opportunities.
While often done competitively for sport, trap shooting can also be done simply as a fun pastime as well. Regardless of one’s general interest in sports or shooting, however, trap shooting is something well worth your time for many reasons.
1. Clay Shooting gives you a new experience
If you’ve never taken part in any kind of sport like trap shooting, this provides you the perfect opportunity to give it a try.
Experience is not required for IWU’s trap shooting team, making it the perfect chance for students who have never done it to get a taste of what it’s like in a safe and controlled environment. In the words of team faculty advisor Katti Sneed, "I love trap shooting because it really is about getting better every week."
One student, Kaiden Slater, had never shot trap before joining the team and now not only feels that he has gained a life-long hobby, but has actually become the current club president.
Additionally, through participating in trap shooting, you will be able to learn how to properly and safely operate a firearm - something that is invaluable if you ever intend to operate one again or are ever around anyone else operating one. By knowing how to properly and safely use one you can both keep yourself safe and increase the safety of those around you.
2. It can be a good way to connect with other students and build community
One of the best ways to build connections and community with other students is to engage in sports teams and other clubs.
By taking part in trap shooting, you’ll have the chance to meet and get to know many other phenomenal students here at IWU. Sports like trap shooting can draw a diverse array of students from all walks of life all across IWU's campus.
Through trap shooting, you and your peers will get to celebrate wins, losses, and individual growth as one united team. As you shoot clay pigeons together, you'll be forging connections with other students that could last a lifetime.
3. Being part of a team of sporting clays shooters gives you a single target to work on
While unstructured fun can generally be quite enjoyable, there’s something special about being part of a team and participating in something more structured with others.
By both being the best individual trap shooter you can be and also being part of a wider team, you’re able to get the joys of camaraderie that come from working to a common goal with other people while also getting to hone your own individual skills. In Sneed's words, "You'll develop great friendships and learn how to compete with yourself."
By metaphorically shooting at a single target together, the bonds of teamwork will grow between you and your peers.
4. It gives you the chance to be part of an important IWU organization
Trap shooting is something which is still pretty new at IWU, not having started until the Spring of 2022, meaning that by joining it you’ll be a pioneering member by forging the path for future students!
While we wouldn't want you to pull the trigger on joining this group too early, being one of the first people to take part in this club while also coming in with some of the foundations fully laid gives you a rare and unique opportunity to both be a trailblazer and have the support which is most essential to your success in this sport.
Additionally, this team gets to compete across the country with other colleges and universities.
5. Shooting at clay targets gives you a fun outlet for things outside of schoolwork
Oftentimes, student life can become very stressful. Constantly studying, going to classes, and doing student jobs easily becomes overwhelming, making outlets outside of those things essential to a healthy and positive experience of college.
Trap shooting can be one such outlet, giving students something unrelated to schoolwork to consistently look forward to. Shooting at clay targets is a safe and harmless way to engage with weaponry under proper supervision.
In the words of founding team member Katy Wise, "Having that outlet of something fun to do during the week helps you get your mind off school and relax... Being on a trap team also helps you get to know people with the same interests and create friendships."
Furthermore, given the nature of the sport you'll also get to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, rather than being stuck inside yet another academic building.
Sign up for IWU’s trap shooting team
To register for Indiana Wesleyan University’s trap shooting team today, go to https://www.claytargetscoring.com today! Registration closes March 25th at noon, so make sure to sign up soon. Any questions about the team can be sent to katti.sneed@indwes.edu.
