CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston trap team finished third in Conference 5 in the USA College Clay Target League during the 2023 spring season. The Golden Eagles also finished fourth in the spring season in their conference, and then placed sixth nationally.

The Golden Eagles notched a combined score of 2,932.0 for the spring. They finished behind Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (4,202.0) and Lake Superior College (3,494.0). Minnesota Crookston defeated the University of Southern Indiana, Mount Aloysius College, Valley City State University, and Indiana Wesleyan University.

Cole Girtz (Jr., Park Rapids, Minn.) finished tied for second in the entire USA College Clay Target League with an average of 24.5. Girtz was also tied for second among all male shooters in the USA College Clay Target League. Lily Krona (So., Bemidji, Minn.) finished second among female shooters in the league. Ellen Payne (So., St. Louis Park, Minn.) placed seventh in the female division with an average of 22.5, while Kelsey Harms (Fr., Norwood Young America, Minn.) finished 10th with a 21.9 average.

Girtz was the top male shooter in the conference. Krona tied for second among female shooters in the conference. Hailey Olson (Jr., Albertville, Minn.) placed fourth in the conference in the female division, Payne took sixth, Harms seventh, and Madie Wildfeuer (Sr., Ormsby, Minn.) finished tied for ninth.

In week five of competitive shooting, the Golden Eagles were led by Peyton Verbout (Sr., Goodridge, Minn.), who hit 49-of-50 targets. Harms and Girtz connected on 48-of-50 in week five. Gracie Lunsetter (So., Gatzke, Minn.) was 46-of-50. Hunter Kasprowicz (So., Radium, Minn.) and Krona were 45-of-50 during the week. Josiah Bullivant (Sr., Dassel, Minn.) was 43-of-50, while Lane Hanson (Fr., Ada, Minn.) and Payne were 42-of-50.