On the heels of a successful 2025 campaign, the Northeast Range/ Ely trapshooting team has begun a new season.
The group, some 22 members strong, has completed a pair of practice weeks at the range at the Babbitt Conservation Club, and conference play begins soon.
A year ago, the NER-Ely varsity team was 14th among 62 teams in the Class 2A division at the state tournament in Alexandria, while both the junior varsity and novice groups came home with first-place trophies.
Hopes are high again, with the return of 18 shooters from last year.
“We’re just getting started,”said coach Julie Huseby. “We don’t have any competitions (away from home) until the state tournament. We do everything remotely.”
After practice rounds, the team begins conference play and will shoot each week, record scores, and compete against conference foes including Hinckley-Finlayson, Milaca, Hendricks, Martin Count West, Luverne, Lewiston-Altura, North Lakes Academy and Bloomington Jefferson.
Conferences are determined by the size of the team, not geography, so Ely won’t compete against nearby schools such as Mesabi East and Hibbing.
During the second week of practice, two NER-Ely shooters recorded perfect scores - Hunter Kosinski and Kamryn Bregier-Beno.
“This is the first time we have had two 25’s shot the same day,” said Huseby.
The top-10 scorers for the week were:
• Bregier-Beno, 49/50;
• Kosinski, 48/50;
• Ryland Sandy, 46;
• Lucas Stalboerger, 44;
• Thomas Hway, 44;
• Peyson Roseth,43;
• Carrington Kosinski,42;
• Wyatt Carlson, 41;
• Talan Hart, 41;
• Amelia Sandy, 41. Other team members are Ari Hart, Laydan Hart, Sabrah Hart, Alyssa Ice, Hannah Ice, Henry Lenz, Jay Mattila, Blake Stalboerger, Garen Weisinger, Trynn Weisinger and Kylee Zobitz.
The team is made up of seven girls and 15 boys, with 16 of the students coming from Ely and six attending Northeast Range.
Trapshooting, also known as clay target, is termed an “emerging activity” by the Minnesota State High School League and brings a new opportunity to compete.
“I would say that for most of the kids, they enjoy being with other kids who are interested in the same thing,” said Huseby. “It’s also an individual sport. Nothing can affect what your scores is than yourself. It’s a self-pride thing.”
The public is able to attend and observe the athletes at work. They gather at 1 p.m. each Sunday and on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. at the Babbitt Conservation Club.
They’ll continue to compete through the spring in Babbitt, and then go to Alexandria in June for the state competition.
