This spring, the Drury University Shotgun Team is gearing up for a spectacular season. Beginning in the fall of 2017, despite being fairly new, the team has proven to be quite successful.

Aiming high

Team member Courtney Meinhardt explains that she is looking forward to the rest of the season.

“We have had an exciting season so far and have more competitions coming up this semester. This upcoming weekend the team is heading to Oklahoma State University. The following weekend we have a competition at Ozark Shooters Club. These are all preparing for the ACUI National Championship that is hosted [at] the end of March in San Antonio, Texas,” said Meinhardt.

(Photo via Drury University Shotgun Sports Facebook page)

The team competes in the disciplines of trap, skeet and sporting clays. They are able to practice at the Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy facility at Big Cedar Lodge.

In the fall, the team hosted Drury University Shoot, which invited other schools to compete in Springfield. The team continues to improve and is currently recruiting for next season!

“I am excited for the future of this team. We are a relatively new team to campus. With that being said, we have a good looking future ahead. Coach Boyer has done an amazing job recruiting for the upcoming season. Welcoming new shooters next semester will make us stronger than we already are,” explained Meinhardt.

Showing what they’ve got

The shotgun team is the fifth non-NCAA sport at Drury, preceded by bass fishing, bowling, triathlon and stunt. Non-NCAA teams offer Drury students the opportunity to broaden their skills outside of traditional sports.

“We have a talented group of athletes with a range of diversity in our sport. This team has allowed me to become more confident in my main discipline while learning more about the other disciplines that we shoot,” said Meinhardt.

Quincy Standage is one of those talented athletes. In January, she was honored with an award from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for her performance in ACUI Collegiate Nationals last season.

The Mirror wishes the Shotgun Team the best of luck in their upcoming competitions. Keep your eyes out for these competitors as they prepare to take on the ACUI National Championship in San Antonio, Tx. in late March.

Written by Delilah Gadd.