Hunter: CC adds trap

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By DAVID HUNTER

A new team is starting at Cannon County later this school year as the Lions will be adding trap shooting to the list of sports.

Just think of it being like an old Western showdown (not really) down at the OK Corral, here in the area.

Head coach is Level I NRA Shotgun Instructor, Wade McMackins, who is grandfather to CCHS athlete Quentin McMackins. For those not familiar with the sport of trap, here is a quick look at it. Each team is made up of five shooters trying to hit a target which is the shape of a disc. A single machine throws the target away from the shooter as they rotate randomly from left to right. Each shooter shoots one shot in succession, and after the fifth shot, the squad rotates to the right and starts over. The squad leader shoots first regardless of position.

Hopefully, one day we might see some of these athletes competing at the Olympics. Trap shooting has been an event at the Summer Games since 1900 for the men and 2000 for the ladies.

During the just completed 2016 Rio Summer Games, Josip Glasnovic from Croatia won the gold in the men's event, while Catherine Skinner won the gold in the women with USA's Corey Cogdell receiving the bronze in the same event.

For several seasons, a number of Rutherford County teams have taken part in high school Trap shooting. When I worked at the Murfreesboro Post, I covered a few trap events, and my cousin, K.J. Hunter shot for MTCS. He currently competes in several trap events around the United States trying to get a college scholarship in the sport.

The one drawback is trap shooting is not governed like most sports, which CCHS participates in, by the TSSAA. Instead Tennessee high school trap shooting is run by the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program, which covers grades 5-12 and runs shooting events like skeet and sporting clays.

If you hope to attend an event, which Cannon County will have home events at the Ok Corral. You will notice few things about the sport and team. No. 1 is order to have a high score; total concentration is a must. Like tennis, golf and other sports, the fans must be quiet while the athletes are shooting the target.

Speaking of the targets, they are small but quick, so the shooters must have a fast trigger fingers to hit them.

Overall, I am glad CC is adding a team, and I cannot wait for the first event later this school year.

Like in all sports, CC will be well-represented both in participates and fans watching the events.

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