DUKE CENTER — The Otto-Eldred Youth Trap Team student athletes are preparing for the 2018 season at the Eldred Conservation Club with students from Otto-Eldred, Olean and Port Allegany, all excited for the upcoming season.
With an undefeated league season recorded last year and its several members that participated at the Pennsylvania State and National levels winning both State and National Championships returning, the expectations are high.
“The team’s largest challenge will be to keep their emotions in check as the mental concentration and focus of trap shooting is a huge hurdle for the coaches and athletes,” coach Stephen Smith said.
Returning this year is its largest group of letterwinners (11), who will be vying for individual and team awards. Not to be forgotten are the underclassmen group of BirdDawgs.
“While they did not earn school letters, they challenge the upperclassmen on a daily basis,” Smith said.
The league will start the first Tuesday of March with matches either home or away around North Central PA and the Southern Tier of New York.
“The Coaches are very proud to announce that Ms. Makenzy Glover (senior) was selected as an A.I.M. All State Junior Team Member for New York State and Corre Smith (junior) was selected as an A.I.M. All State Junior Pennsylvania Team Member, along with being selected as a member of the S.C.T.P. All State Team for the year 2017.
“The 2018 BirdDawg Team would like to show special appreciation to our Corporate Sponsors; The Friends of the NRA, The Eldred Vets Club, Eldred Conservation Club, Taylor & Armstrong, Close’s Lumber, Munchies, International Wax Inc., Bennett Trucking, Shane & Firkle Law Offices, Jay Paul Kahle and Associates, Morgan Optical, Jim Coast Sales and Service, Kessel Construction, Sportsman Outlet and SB Consulting, Eldred Supermarket and CRT Off Road.”
This year’s team of 7th thru 12 graders has increased in size, especially the underclassmen with over 20 first-year athletes.
The coaching staff had anticipated increased membership after last year’s season so three additional coaches were added who have taken the NRA Training Course.
“The rookies have all shown great enthusiasm and promise in learning their new skill of weapon safety and busting clay targets,” Smith said. “The returning BirdDawgs, although a bit rusty at first, have caught on and are starting to score close to their 2017 averages.”
Several fundraisers have already started including our raffle ticket on a new over/under Browning 12 gauge shotgun and the annual hoagie sale. The team will also be having its 3rd annual Pancake Breakfast on Apr. 14 where members of the team serve attendees a fantastic meal at the Eldred Township Fire hall.
“We want to thank all those who support not only the BirdDawgs but all the athletes, from the surrounding communities of Portville, Oswayo Valley, Cuba, Bolivar-Richburg and Coudersport and the New York State Scholastic Trap League.”
