Garrett Schroeder, a Warrenton High School sophomore, had ice in his veins during the AIM Grand Nationals held July 26 and 27 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois.
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Garrett Schroeder was locked in when it mattered most.
Schroeder, a Warrenton High School sophomore, had ice in his veins during the AIM Grand Nationals held July 26 and 27 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois.
Schroeder, a member of the American Legion Post 218 Youth Clay Birds Team, earned the Sub Junior Class A Singles Champion title at the event.
He broke 194 of 200 targets to win the title outright, without a tie or shoot-off.
Along the way, he achieved three personal milestones: hitting his first 50 consecutive targets, his first 75 targets, and his first 100 targets, earning his 50-, 75- and 100-in-a-row AIM patches.
“I am just so amazed that it happened,” Schroeder said. “My day started good with a straight 25, then 50, and I was amazed with that, then a 75, and then I was like, ‘what?’ Then it just happened 100 out of 100.”
Post 218 Youth Clay Birds Team Head Coach Bill Dickinson said that the result is a testament to the hard work Schroder has put in to improve his craft.
More importantly, though, Schroder is passing his love for the sport on to those around him.
“The championship makes us proud, but so does the teammate he’s becoming,” Dickinson said. “Working hard, staying coachable and helping the next young shooter along – those are qualities we want every athlete in our program to carry beyond the trap field.”
Coach and Team Administrator Matt Stacker echoed Dickinson’s words.
Stacker said that Schroeder has his own way of working with his peers.
“Garrett takes his own improvement seriously, but he also takes time to mentor junior teammates,” Stacker said. “Leadership is an important part of who he is and contributes to the team’s overall success. He also brings a dry sense of humor that we all appreciate and it helps others relax when they are having a tough practice.”
Twelve athletes from Post 218 participated in the AIM Grand Nationals. In addition to Schroeder, the others were Landon Schulte, Noah Brussel, Ayden Joerling, Grant Korman, Wyatt Korman, Luke Gerdeman, Matt O’Brien, Jed Gierer, Julia Gierer, Sam Dickinson and Weston Wilson.
Wyatt Korman, Gerdeman and Wilson all earned their first 25-in-a-row AIM patches.
The American Legion Post 218 Youth Clay Birds Team allows local youth to learn trap shooting in a safety-focused, structured setting, build confidence and camaraderie, and represent their community.
The team welcomes athletes ages 10 through high school, including beginners with no prior shooting experience.
All coaches are NRA certified. The team provides the practice facility and clay targets, and shotguns are available to help new athletes get started.
Participants need hearing protection, eye protection, shells and a shell pouch.
