In its second season, the Camden High School Clay Target team is aiming higher. Operated in partnership with the Camden Rod and Gun Club, the team currently has 19 athletes participating in a competition unlike any other in high school athletics.
The Blue Devils compete in Trap Shooting as part of the New York State High School Clay Target League, in a competitive environment that emphasizes safety and proper skill development.
All practice and competition sessions take place off school grounds at the Camden Rod and Gun Club facilities. Safety is a regular topic of discussion before stepping onto the range, and procedures are carefully taught and strictly enforced through a team effort that includes coaches Andrew Crossman and Mason Swancott, and a dedicated Range Safety Officer for each session. An additional group of volunteers from the Camden Rod and Gun Club is also close by to lend their assistance, and their eyes and ears to keep participants on track and on target.
The goal is not only to compete, but to build proper technique and engage students in a lifelong recreational pursuit, whether that’s on the range, or by going afield to hunt. Central New York is rich in opportunities to do both.
The team competes remotely in a five match regular season, with matches primarily on Sundays. They participate in Class 2A, Conference 3 against teams from all over the state including McGraw, Alexandria, Broadalbin-Perth, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Cobleskill-Richmondville, and Marathon. Scores are submitted to the league each week to determine standings.
Camden placed fifth in its opening match with 569 points. Troy Cox tied for the seventh-highest score among male competitors for Camden. He tied for 97th overall across all conferences and competitors. Four Blue Devils placed in the top 25 among the conference’s female competitors for the season opener. That group was led by returner Coriann Swinbourne, who was eighth on that leaderboard with 18 points. Abigail Arnold was eleventh, Sora Kiedrowski was fourteenth, and Adrienne Chesebro was 23rd.
In addition to a regular season, participants also have the opportunity to compete in state and national championships. Last year, Garrett and Ryan Wines participated in the state championship, becoming the first CHS students to contest a high school state championship in shooting sports. Garrett later advanced to the National Championships in Mason, Michigan.
