Ankeny Hawks & Jaguars Trap Clubs

The Ankeny High School and Ankeny Centennial Trap Clubs are gearing up for another exciting season in 2014.  The 2014 season brings a change to the club with the 130+ member team being split into two separate teams.  Chance Chesnut has been named the head coach for the Hawks and Don Nelson will be the head coach for the Jaguars. 

Last year, the Ankeny High School Trap Shooting Club boasted the largest team in the state.  The team took multiple 1st place finishes during the 2013 season. and ended on a high note with a Varsity Squad consisting of Derek Blatt, Grant Wallace, Alex Allen, Logan Grant and B.J. Bunting taking 2nd place at the State meet.  Also, an Ankeny Intermediate Advanced squad (8th Grade) also took 2nd place at state and consisted of Logan Shonka, Alex Austin, Carlton Davis, Jacob Austin and Kyle Radke.

Both Ankeny teams are a part of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) which is a part of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation. The SCTP focuses on firearm safety, Individual responsibility, respect for self and others as well as learning a lifelong skill.  Every member of the team both male and female, grades 7th to 12th have equal opportunity to compete at all home and away events.  Male and females participate side by side with each other and have the opportunity to participate as a team as well as individually, unlike other sports.  The Ankeny Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League hosts both teams for practices and home meets.  The chapter has open trap night on Tuesday nights which is open to the public for a small fee per round, with adults and youth welcome to participate.  Visit www.ankenyikes.org for more information about open trap night or membership opportunities for the Ikes.

With such a large number of participants in both clubs, each club relies on a large number of volunteer coaches and parent volunteers.  Both clubs are also sponsored in part by such local organizations as the Ankeny Optimist club and the Dragoon Chapter of the Izaak Walton League as well as numerous local businesses and nonprofit organizations.  Without the parents and the communities support both teams would not be able to exist.  With that said the clubs are always looking for additional volunteers or donations.  If you would like to volunteer, donate or have questions about either club please contact Chance Chesnut at ahshawk.trap@gmail.com or Don Nelson jaguar.trap@gmail.com

Both teams will be holding trap club signups in mid January 2014 with meets starting in March. New websites are being developed now for each team, but were not available at publication time for this article.  Announcements for specific sign-up dates and further details will be posted at each high school and Infinite Campus.