There’s an old rock ballad proclaiming that “two out of three ain’t bad,” but Glen Lake junior Alex Eaton easily topped that mark.
Eaton knocked down 23 out of 25 clay targets Sunday in a shoot-out to claim the prestigious “Top Gun” trophy in the Youth Trap League sponsored by the Cedar Rod and Gun Club.
And it wasn’t even his best round of trap, having achieved perfect scores of 25 several times in the past.
“I was slightly nervous,” admitted Eaton, whose stock is rising among the best shotgunners in the state. “But it’s helped that I’ve shot at the state (high school) tournament. There’s a lot of pressure in that, too.”
Trap shooting is more a mental than a reactive sport as shooters know the origin of a clay target’s journey and its general direction. That the spinning, 4 1/2-inch disc is traveling at 45 to 55 mph right out of the trap house makes for a challenging sport.
The key to success is repetitive good form, which Eaton is mastering, according to his high school coach, Beth Mikowski. Eaton is also the top gun for the Lakers, who finished second in their eight-team division in the Michigan State High School Clay Target League. Among 2,073 prep shooters across the state, Eaton’s scores rank him ninth.
“He’s been doing really well and is focused in. He’s not just going there and seeing a ‘bird’ and shooting. He’s become disciplined, locking into a position and staying there until they move to the next position,” Mikowski said.
Added Eaton: “It’s basically all mental. That’s what makes trap hard — because it’s a mental game.”
Eaton and his sister, Lola, who placed second in the intermediate division in the Youth Trap League, are the children of Jake and Kayla Eaton.
Eaton and Austin O’Connor, also a standout on the Laker trap team, finished even through four weeks of shooting. On Sunday the deadeyes competed in the first top gun shootout in the league’s 15 seasons.
Both young men competed masterfully. Austin knocked down 21 pigeons, two shy of Eaton’s score.
Eaton tipped his hat to Cedar Rod and Gun Club president Rick Nelson and the myriad of volunteer shooting coaches provided by the organization. It’s important, he continued, to provide an opportunity for young people to learn about the heritage of the shooting sports and how much fun they offer.
“I kind of feel it’s a dying sport, even though it’s good to keep kids interested. They should learn how to safely use guns and enjoy them without the danger often associated with them. Rick has been a huge help in improving my shooting. Super nice, super helpful and a great guy. Jim Balesh as well,” Eaton said.
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Other volunteer coaches, many of whom Eaton mentioned by name, include Tim Stein, Jess Reed, Fritz Barrett, Jay Shoffner, Doug Boitz, Mark Sierzputowski, Josh Chandler, Bill Blade, Herman Radtke, Kevin Ringwolski, Mikowski and her son, Doug Mikowski.
“I also need to thank my dad and grandpa (Dean McClure). They’ve been huge. I love waterfowl hunting, and I love muzzle loading for deer. But waterfowl is what I really like,” Eaton said.
Other young shooters were feted Sunday as well in what is described as a “fun day” following weeks of competition. Among senior participants, Eddie Noonan won the Gold Division while O’Connor captured the Silver.
Easton West topped Intermediate shooters and Sage Hanley knocked down the most targets among junior shooters.
“The season went really well,” Nelson said. “We ended up with 34 kids, and only got rained on one Sunday. Everybody had a great time and I saw a lot of smiling faces. A lot of kids came up and shook my hand, which always makes me feel good.”
There is no charge to participate in the Youth Trap League, with all expenses paid by the Cedar Rod and Gun Club Educational Foundation. Included are shotgun shells, eye and ear protection and the use of shotguns owned by the club.
On their final gathering participants enjoyed a grill-out while participating in “Annie Oakley,” a shooting game in which players are knocked out of competition when they miss but the next shooter in line connects.
League shooters were also recipients of a number of prizes, including three shotguns, won through random drawings. Maple City gunsmith CJ Bachelder donated a Wetherbee semiautomatic 20 gauge shotgun that by happenstance was won by Eaton. Club member Doug Whitley donated 12- and 20-gauge shotguns, one of which was won by Eaton’s sister.
“I just was lucky,” Eaton explained.
Eaton leaves the impression that his biggest moments behind a shotgun lie in front of him, and he might be right as a member of the Laker shotgunning team. Eaton placed first individually in Glen Lake’s division with O’Connor sixth and Noonan seventh. Others placing were Ethan Verschaeve, 12th; Collin Ostrowski, 14th; Henry Plamondon, 17th; Colin Kasben, 22nd; Reilly Kinnee, 24th, and Travis Krohn.
The state meet will be held June 15 and 16 in Mason with Glen Lake has a chance to leave with some hardware. Mikowski will, of course, be there along with her son Doug who is the team’s assistant coach due largely to guidance provided through his participation in the Youth Trap League.
“Those guys from the gun club basically took him under their wings when he started shooting, and they’ve really helped with the structure of his whole life,” she said.
