Hulett Clay Target League finishes 2024 season

The Hulett Clay Target League has completed another year of trap shooting competition. The seven gunners, Zac Palus, Grant Busenitz, Logan Dirks, Abigail Palus, Elena Busenitz, Aiden Williams and Cameron Dirks, were led by Coach Jim Palus and Range Safety Officer Beth McCollum.

Hulett braved the May thunderstorms (always on scoring nights!) out at the recreation grounds to bust enough clay pigeons to place third in their conference against other teams from Wyoming (Upton, Burns, Niobrara and Dubois).

The first-year girl competitors did very well, breaking in as first and second females in the conference (Abigail 13.3/25, Elena 13.1/25). Aiden was also a first-year competitor, and he crushed an average of 11.8 clays out of 25.

Hulett's returning athletes chipped in as follows: Cameron averaged 10.7, Logan - 16.8, Grant – 20.1 and fifth in conference and Zac – 22.6 and 2nd in conference. Zac smashed 50 straight on the second week of tournament competition.

Five Hulett team members were able to participate in the Wyoming Trap Shooting State Tournament in Torrington on June 29 with 176 boys and girls from the state. Competition was tough, going against teams like Cheyenne East and Thunder Basin.

State tournament results for Hulett team members are as follows: Abigail (50/100, seventh novice female), Aiden (59/100, 14th novice male), Cameron (82/100, first novice male), Logan (85/100, tenth junior varsity male) and Zac (89/100, 24th varsity male).

Many local sponsors pitched in and helped the team complete a successful 2024 (Hulett Recreation Board, Western Gateway Outfitters, Neiman Enterprises, Corner Market, Cold Creek Ranch, Sundance State Bank, The Ponderosa, The Busy Bean and many, many individuals).

Hulett Clay Target League would also like to encourage any middle or high school students in the area to join them next spring as they continue to bust, break, crush, chip and smash their way to the top.