Written by: Katie Ludwig
The Algona and Bishop Garrigan Trapshooting team is not a school-affiliated sport but is supported by the schools. The trapshooting season began on March 26, 2025, out at the Izaak Walton League east of Smith Lake. The Izaak Walton League offers a community for outdoor lovers dedicated to protecting the future of conservation and outdoor adventure.
Trapshooting is a competitive sport where students from Algona compete with students from other schools. Each school may have many squads; a squad is five members from the same school that have a similar level of shooting skills. At meets, one squad from each school will stand at a trap house with an original 22 shotgun and shoot 50 clay pigeons to gain points for their team. The more clay pigeons hit, the better the score.
This year, some of the coaches are Jeremy Thilges, along with Dave Burma and Rick Chase. The coaches require the trapshooters to sell raffle tickets for the team, work a pancake breakfast, and provide their own gun, ear, and eye protection, and a shooting bag. All are also required to take a gun safety course to protect themselves and their teammates. With all the requirements, each athlete will be allowed to compete in nine trapshooting meets all across Iowa.
After two weeks of practice, they will have their first meet at home, at the Izaak Walton League, on April 5th, competing against Humboldt, Estherville, Sibley, Graettinger, and Pocahontas.
Another home meet will follow, on April 9th. They will be competing against Pocahontas, Graettinger, Sibley, Emmetsburg, Humboldt, and the Emmet County Clay Busters.
As the season progresses, each athlete will be invited to shoot at State Trap. To attend State Trap, each student is required to attend at least seven practices and five meets. If fulfilled, the students will be invited to State Trap in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Sunday, June 8th, 2025, to shoot 100 clay pigeons. The Iowa State Trapshooting Association is a great event for all students to watch and meet many other talented trapshooters from across the state and get recognition for themselves and their team.
Trapshooting is a great school-supported activity for many different students of all talents and interests. John Ludwig, featured in the photo above, says, “Trapshooting is a fun time to shoot my shotgun and hang out with my friends.” Each meet and practice is a great opportunity to meet new people and unite the community to support one another. Best of luck to the Algona and Bishop Garrigan trap shooters in their 2025 season.