ELSMORE — Drake Dieker of Iola was the top marksman in the 13-16-year-old division of last Saturday’s youth trap shoot. Dieker had to work a little overtime, winning a three-way shoot-off.
Dieker and Cody Crabtree of Pattonsburg, Mo. won the two divisions. Crabtree broke 20 of 25 clay targets in the 12-and-younger age group.
The fifth annual free Eastern Kansas Youth Trap Shoot was held at the Lone Tree Gun Club near Elsmore, owned and operated by Ron and Betty Wrestler.
“This event was started five years ago to help promote the sport of trap shooting and hunting. It has been very successful in providing youngsters with gun safety and competition shooting,” said Richard Diehl, who established the event.
About 50 boys and girls 16 and younger participated in the shoot Saturday. Safari Club International of Kansas City along with other financial donors and volunteers made the event possible.
Each shooter shot 25 clay targets and every shooter had an opportunity to win the top prize shotguns for each division, plus their names went in a drawing for another shotgun.
Each shooter was given a prize provided by sponsors of the event.
“Some of the young shooters return to Lone Tree Gun Club on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons for practice and competition shooting,” Diehl said.
“Over the past four years three of our very successful young shooters have competed at the Grand American Trap Shoot in Sparta, Ill.”
After the youth shoot Saturday, there was open shooting for all ages.
