It wasn't too long ago that Weston Zolck's Blair Gold lineup made its claim as the high overall team in Doniphan.
Nearly five years later, though, the marksman has a different role going into the 53rd annual Cornhusker Trapshoot, which serves as a state and regional championship event open to all high school and junior high shotgun sports athletes nationwide. This time, Zolck is the Blair Youth Shooting Sports (BYSS) coach.
“I like seeing how all the kids do,” he said, smiling. “I'm not the one shooting, but it still seems like I get quite a bit of credit for what they do.”
The coach's junior high shooters start competition Thursday in Doniphan before the senior division shoots Friday and Saturday. First, though, BYSS hosted its Buckle Shoot on Saturday with a couple of Omaha teams stopping through at the range north of Blair.
The cold, windy event, however, came after BYSS' Eastern Cornhusker Trapshooting Conference schedule, which Zolck deemed a success with his team earning award finishes week-in and week-out.
“We haven't gone home skunked yet,” he said.
In Doniphan, Blair will take steps to keep that roll going. Zolck said there's a second range near the Nebraska Trapshooting Association State Grounds his team will practice at before it competes.
“You kind of get away from everybody, and you get your own trap and stuff,” he said. “Kind of get mentally prepared for it.”
A couple of team leaders have remained focused throughout the BYSS season going into the Cornhusker, too.
“We've probably got two or three kids that have really been standing out,” Zolck said, naming Kalvin Kies, Triston Clausen and Wyatt Blackford specifically.
“(Kies) shows up to every practice. Shoots a lot of shells,” the coach explained. “He always stays and shoots extras.”
In addition, Blair's Riley Brodersen returns to Doniphan after taking first from 22-23 yards a year ago. He was 60-for-75 from the distance.
In addition to the boys, BYSS will have a full girls team at the Cornhusker Trapshoot for the first time.
“We're happy to finally have a girls team go out there,” Zolck said. “And they've been shooting pretty good. They've been winning quite a few awards in the females division, too.”
Evie Hearn, Anissa Hill, Revlyn Rasmussen, Alyssa Lode and Jaydyn Backman all shot together during the Buckle Shoot as well. They agreed to pose for a team photo before taking aim and will have more opportunities for pictures Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
