CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston trap team officially opened up the USA College Clay Target League with a strong showing during week one. Minnesota Crookston is in third place out of seven teams in USA College Clay Target League Conference 4. Minnesota Crookston was led by Cole Girtz (Sr., Park Rapids, Minn.), Lily Krona (Jr., Bemidji, Minn.), Hailey Olson (Sr., Albertville, Minn.), and Ellen Payne (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) who all hit 25-straight in week one.

Payne, Olson, and Krona are all tied for third with an average of 24.0 for the top females in the USA College Clay Target League through week one. Girtz is tied for sixth for all males in Conference 4 with an average of 24.0. Krona, Olson, and Payne are tied for second among all females in Conference 4 with an average of 24.0. Heather Kaup (So., Forest Lake, Minn.) is 10th among females in the conference with an average of 22.0.

Girtz, Krona, Olson, and Payne led the squad in week one by hitting 48-of-50 targets. Collin Schlomann (So., Redwood Falls, Minn.) connected on 46-of-50 targets. Hunter Kasprowicz (Jr., Radium, Minn.), Kaup, Zach Olson (Sr., Parkers Prairie, Minn.), and Brandon Van Den Einde (So., Fertile, Minn.) all hit 44-of-50. Gracie Lunsetter (Jr., Gatzke, Minn.) knocked down 42-of-50. Jayden Bergerson (So., Gully, Minn.) hit 41-of-50 targets. 

Lake Superior College leads Conference 4 with a score of 549.0. Western Michigan University is in second place with a tally of 453.0. Minnesota Crookston is slightly behind Western Michigan with a score of 423.5. The Golden Eagles currently lead Williston State College, South Dakota Mines, Paul Smith's College, and Mitchell Technical College.

The Golden Eagles will compete in week two of the USA College Clay Target League starting today and running through Saturday, October 6.