By Tonya Harmon
Contributing Writer
The Aberdeen Gun Club hosted the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League State Tournament on June 6-7, bringing together hundreds of student-athletes from across the state for a weekend of competition.
The state trap tournament featured 860 athletes representing 52 high school teams, making it one of the largest youth shooting sports events in South Dakota. In addition, the state skeet tournament was held at the Aberdeen Gun Club and included 126 athletes from 15 teams.
The Britton-Hecla/Langford Area High School Clay Target Team turned in an impressive performance throughout the tournament, highlighted by a fourth place finish in the varsity trap team standings.
Senior Camden Dinger led the way, earning a trophy after placing third in Varsity Male Trap with a score of 98 out of 100 targets and fourth place overall. Other local shooters included Hunter Jensen, 96/100, ninth; Dylan Harmon, 96/100, 11th; Talon Dinger, 87/100, 65th; Dane Horter, 86/100, 79th; Abel Henning, 85/100, tied for 88th; and Ryker Bruns, 84/100, tied for 102nd.
Rosalyn Rapkoch led the junior varsity shooters, hitting 80/100 and tying for 30th place. Olivia Effling hit 76/100 for 45th; Corbin Dawson, 71/100 to tie for 73rd; and Dalton Anderson, 67/100, 84th. In the Novice Division Regan Bruns hit 18/100 and placed 132nd.
Britton-Hecla/Langford Area athletes also posted strong performances in the skeet competition. Hunter Jensen hit 88/100 to place 17th in the varsity division. Dane Horter broke 84/100 to win the junior varsity competition. Dylan Harmon was third with 82.100, and Camden Dinger 14th with 77/100.
One of the unique aspects of the program is that trap shooting is open to students of all skill levels. There are no bench players - every athlete has the opportunity to participate and contribute to the team. The Britton-Hecla/Langford Area program emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship while maintaining a strong commitment to safe firearm handling and range safety above all else.
With a fourth-place varsity team finish and multiple top individual performances, the Britton-Hecla/Langford Area squad once again demonstrated why it is among the state’s premier clay target teams and five shooters will compete in the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship in Mason, MI, July 8-12. They include Dylan Harmon, Hunter Jensen, Camden Dinger, Talon Dinger, and Abel Henning. A total of 1,800 individuals and 240 teams will compete on the national stage.
