Trap team increases female participants

Club involvement crosses gender boundaries

Participants+in+the+Saint+Louis+Park+clay+target+club+line+up+for+a+shot+at+the+Horse+and+Hunt+Club+in+Prior+Lake%2C+MN.

Echo file photo

Participants in the Saint Louis Park clay target club line up for a shot at the Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN.

Genesis Buckhalton

Junior Hanna Fortmeyer said the trap team is a place to grow as a shooter.

“It’s a place to compete and improve but also a place to make a lot of really good relationships,” Fortmeyer said.

Trap team coach Richard Plantz said despite low participation, the number of girls on the team has increased from past years.

“We have more this year; we have more than a squad (five girls). (The team) did not have one last year,” Plantz said.

Plantz said participation on the trap team does not differ by gender.

“No one sits on the bench. Everyone is equal on the team; everyone participates,” Plantz said.

No matter what, Plantz said that all the players on the team score in the same way.

“You can score as an individual in either the top female category or in the top male category,” Plantz said.

“Earlier in the season, the girls were the top in their conference against other schools,” he said.

Fortmeyer said her gender has not inhibited her involvement or friendships on the team.

“My experience on the team has been really good,” Fortmeyer said. “I enjoy it a lot and everyone is treated as an equal member of the team.”

Fortmeyer said being one of the only girls has had a positive effect on the whole team.

“There’s never been a moment that I’ve not felt I was being treated equally,” Fortmeyer said.

“It’s great being a girl on the trap team. It’s a great group of people to be with no matter what,” she said.