Roland Story Claybusters are on target for a new season of trapshooting

By Brooklyn R.

The Roland-Story Claybusters started with a bang on October 3 at the Ames Izaak Walton League. Roland-Story Claybusters is a club that was started by parents trying to meet the needs of students who wanted to shoot that started in 2009. Middle school and high school students compete in the sport. Roland-Story competes with teams around Iowa. The team’s biggest competitors are The Ballard Clay Bombers and The Gilbert Clay Commanders. 

On October 3, the Claybusters went up against the Commanders in singles, doubles, and handicap. Singles competition is when one clay comes out from different varying positions. Doubles competition is when two clays come out simultaneously and the shooter has two shot shells to hit the two clays. Lastly, handicap is when the shooter will shoot from the 25-yard line, and shoot one clay. This is very difficult as the shooter has less time to make their shot and the clay target is further away. 

The Claybusters finished first as a team against the Commanders with a winning score of 228. The team included Mason Schnurstein, shooting 46; Landon Faga, shooting 46; Brooklyn Richardson, shooting 46; Cole Olson, shooting 45; and Braden Vinson, shooting 45. The women's senior division overall was first Jayden Riddle with a 49 from the Gilbert Commanders, second Brooklyn Richardson with a 46 from Roland Story Claybusters, and third Abbie Hill with a 45 from the Gilbert Commanders. The men's senior division included first Lucas Savage with a 47 from the Gilbert Commanders, second Mason Schnurstein with a 46, and Landon Faga with a 46, both from the Roland Story Claybusters. 

Assistant Head Coach Mark Schnurstein enjoys watching the athletes grown and develop. "This year the coaches are extremely excited about the team. Over the last three years, we have seen incredible growth in our student athletes. Students have not only learned shooting skills, but have learned some incredible life skills like grit, communication, sportsmanship, and teamwork," he said.

With the fall season ending soon, the shooters are looking forward to the spring season starting in March. The spring season culminates with the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target State Championship in June with over 4,000 student competitors vying for top honors. 

Location: Story City, IA 50248, USA

Popular posts from this blog

Back in the Swing of Things: The Return of Roland-Story’s Jazz Band

By Mason S. The Roland-Story Jazz Band is gearing up for a year of swinging songs, soulful solos, and jaw-dropping performances. After placing 3rd last year at the Iowa Jazz Championships, this year's band has big shoes to fill, especially to keep the rich musical tradition alive and prove that they are one of the top ensembles in the entire state. Students have been working hard to perfect their musical selections, from big-band Jazz Standards to modern funk hits. Lead trombone player Bradey Haberl said, “I think this year's music is some of the best I’ve ever played. It's definitely my favorite by far, but it is also by far the most difficult music we have ever played. This increased difficulty in music is not without reason. The rhythm section currently comprises all returning players: Aubrey Britten on bass, Cael Vermeer on piano, Mason Schnurstein on guitar, with Ella Murphy and Eli Van Hove both on percussion. The rhythm section is the glue that keeps the band togethe...
Read more

Roland-Story at The Iowa Jazz Championships

By Bradey H. On April 2nd, the Roland-Story Jazz Band played at the Scheman Building in Ames for the annual Iowa Jazz Championships. After placing first at the SCIBA (South Central Iowa Band Association) Jazz Festival to qualify for the championships, the band continued participating in contests and practicing four times a week to improve for this performance. Just a few weeks earlier, the band had clinics with retired Southeast Polk band director Ted Hagan and Drake jazz professor Bob Meunier. Using the advice from these two experts, the band finished polishing the four pieces they were going to play for the championships. The songs to be performed were “Hipper by the Dozen” by Al Horney, “Chicken Scratch” by Kris Berg, “Sagebrush” by Annie Booth, and “Hit the Bricks” by Gordon Goodwin. The band had only performed “Sagebrush” once before, so a majority of the practice time was devoted to it. In the final days leading up to the event, the band’s director, Kevin Masemann, made the final...
Read more

The Road to State

By Kelsey J. We had been preparing for this one day for months. State came and went for the Roland-Story Jazz band. But it was the preparation leading up to it that mattered the most. The Roland-Story Jazz Band was set to compete on April 8th at 2:45 pm. The two weeks leading up to it were very stressful and filled with tons of practice. Between sectionals, full band practices, and clinics we were booked tight.  To be able to become better, you have to seek the help of the very best along the way. The Roland-Story Jazz band’s first clinic was with Bob Neunier. He came and listened to the band on March 31st. Bob is the Professor of Percussion & Director of Bands at Drake University, where he is the conductor of the wind symphony and director of percussion studies. The kids brought him in to help give tips and advice to the band. With his elite skill set, he helped to lock in the rhythm with the rest of the band. He gave new ideas and insights on how we could take our band from g...
Read more