trap shooting

Mount Morris-based shooters win state title

There was some serious shooting going on in Cicero this summer, and when the smoke cleared it was a team from Mount Morris that walked away with the biggest trophy.

The Mount Morris Flight Crew trap shooting team won the junior (15-18 years old) category in the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s AIM New York State Shoot held on July 14.

AIM is the ATA’s official youth program, sponsored locally by the Mount Morris Gun Club, and consists of “five team members, two coaches, and many supporters,” according to coach Marcia Jennings.

As a team, the Flight Crew broke 920 of 1,000 targets to claim the crown. Nunda’s Chase Amrheim led the way, breaking 193 of 200 to win the title of junior champion. He was followed by Nick Tolle, who broke 191 of 200, Hunter Grosse (183 of 200), Brooke Doran (179 of 200), and Max Mehlenbacher (174 of 200).

“The kids were spectacular,” said Jennings. “I was very proud of the way they handled the pressure in what was basically their first major tournament. In fact, I received many compliments about them from their competitors.”

And some of those competitors could have easily gotten under their skin. Amrheim’s winning score of 193 was just one point past the second-place score of 192, but he said he didn’t break a sweat throughout.

“It didn’t bother me,” he said, “I was just shootin.’”

That country-boy cool was enough to hold off the competition for the junior title, which he admits was nice, but says the team title was better.

“We’ve worked really hard as a team,” he said. “It was great to win it.”

That sentiment was shared by team second-place finisher Tolle.

“It felt really good,” said Tolle, who’s 193 score earned him third place junior overall. “I’ve only been with the team since about May, but I’ve become good friends with everyone.”

He’s also developed a friendly rivalry with Amrheim in competing for the top shooter spot.

“It was disappointing not to take (individual first place), but I’m happy he did, especially since he’s on our team.”

Also happy was team third-place finisher Grosse.

“It felt pretty good to win the team trophy,” he said, “especially when we came back home. Everybody was congratulating us and patting us on the back.”

If that type of feel-good is something you or one of your kids would like to become part of, the coaches invite all to participate. Call Marcia at 585-689-3470, or Joe Regan at 585-507-2859 for more information.