CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston trap team posted their best score of the season with a 445.0, as they inched closer to second place in the USA College Clay Target League Conference 4. Minnesota Crookston has 1,281.5 overall points. They trail Lake Superior College (1,469.5) and Western Michigan University (1,349.5). The Golden Eagles lead Williston State College, South Dakota Mines, Paul Smith's College, and Mitchell Technical College.

Minnesota Crookston was led by Cole Girtz (Sr., Park Rapids, Minn.), who hit a run of 50. Ellen Payne (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) hit a run of 25 in competition, while Collin Schlomann (Jr., Lake Lillian, Minn., and Hailey Olson (Sr., Albertville, Minn.) each hit rounds of 25 in practice.

Girtz and Payne are each tied for 17th in the USA College Clay Target League, with an average of 24.0. Payne is third in the entire USA College Clay Target League with a 24.0 average for females. Lily Krona (Jr., Bemidji, Minn.) is fourth among females with an average of 28.83. Olson is sixth, with an average of 23.5.

Girtz is tied for fifth in the conference for males with a 24.0 average. Payne is second in the conference among females with a 24.0 average. Krona is third with a 28.83 average, while Olson is fourth with a 23.5 average. Heather Kaup (So., Forest Lake, Minn.) is ninth among females with an average of 22.33.

Girtz led Minnesota Crookston in week three, by hitting 50-of-50 targets. Payne and Krona connected on 48-of-50 targets. Olivia Burstad (Menomone, Wis.), and Gracie Lunsetter (Jr., Gatzke, Minn.) hit 47-of-50. Olson went 46-of-50 during the third week. Jayden Bergerson (So., Gully, Minn.) connected on 45-of-50 targets. Kelsey Harms (So., Norwood Young America, Minn.), and Schlomann went 43-of-50. Kaup went 42-of-50 for the Golden Eagles. Hunter Kasprowicz (Jr., Radium, Minn.), and Brandon Van Den Einde (So., Fertile, Minn.) went 41-of-50. 

The U of M Crookston begins week four October 16, 2023.