Trap Shooting Team Shares Goals, Aims for Improvement

Coach focuses on safety, fun, responsibility

Hamza Banatwala | Contributing Writer

Trap shooting is seen as a competitve sport including the use of firearms to shoot clay targets, commonly known as clay pigeons. The targets are launched from a machine that is referenced as the “trap,” and are ejected randomly and sporadically flying at different angles and times resembling the flight of a bird.

The goal of a contestant is to shoot as many clay targets as they can within the limiteed time whilst employing fast reflexes, accuracy and much more.

Orla Judalena ‘25, a member of the trap shooting team shares, “There are several memorable moments. I was ranked 7th or 17th state-wise last year for the female trap shooting rankings (within our group size). Second, I became a trap shooting captain this year and also got a varsity letter, which I was very proud of. Lastly, getting a high score is still very memorable, and I’m sure that lots of people can relate to achieving such a goal.”

Judalena shares her achievements and proudest moments as a trap shooter. She encourages others to be inspired by the opportunity that comes with the competitve sport.

Judalena says, “My advice to those interested in trap shooting is that if you want a fun sport that doesn’t take a lot of your time, [to] do trap shooting. We only meet one day per week (Wednesday) for an hour or two to shoot, but you can improve your skills and spend time doing something fun. Also, it’s a great feeling when you get a new score, so try it out!” Judalena is aware that trap shooting should be a sport that is approachable and encourages others to join in. Lastly, she shows the time management and

Softball Rebuilds, Fosters Unity

Highlights include rivalry victory

Evan Vezmar | Managing Editor

“We’re in a building year”, explains CJ Eckhardt , the co-head coach of the softball team. However, Eckhardt had nothing but praise for her team, citing an incredible team connection. “Everybody is super supportive, everybody is so kind to each other. They’re really responsive, excited to learn and grow. It’s one of the best team dynamics that I’ve been a part of.”

Julia Rasmussen ‘23 agrees, saying “All the people in general are really good people… I think the team dynamic’s really positive.” The softball team is combined with Eagle Ridge Academy so “that definitely makes a different dynamic than a typical Blake sports team. But I think it’s kind of nice to not just be with Blake people all the time,” explains Rasmussen. Rasmussen also mentions the great relationship the team has with the coaches. Rasmussen describes, “CJ’s a very good coach. It’s nice because we have 4 coaches and so they all work super well. If CJ’s gone… one of them easily steps up.”

Eckhardt expresses that losing games has been challenging, but “helping [the team] stay steady, continue to build momentum even in those losses is really hard. Sometimes we are just learning lessons to try to build and be better.” Eckhardt shared a story of the team’s double header against Breck in early May and emphasizes, “They were really really tough games. The first game we lost 9-6 and the second game we won 10-0. And just the level of energy and enthusiasm they had in both games despite the first loss was so much fun. Afterwards, they were singing and laughing and building community. It was really really fun to watch.”

Rasmussen adds, “Our goals for the season are to just keep having fun. I think that’s ultimately the most important.” the essence of the sport. “Trap shooting requires time and competitive effort, where people work together individually and as a team to hit as many targets as possible; whoever gets the most targets is the highest ranked. Because of this, the competitive nature and urge to improve or be the best give trap shooting the value of being a welldeemed sport or activity.”

Jon Van Bergen , the coach, explains that “Our goals are pretty simple. 1: Teach and instill safety and respect of a firearm. With a sport like ours this can not be understated. There is no room for error and athletes need to understand that owning and operating a firearm comes with an incredible responsibil- ity. 2: See improvement in an individual’s average score. We try to get every athlete’s scores to improve throughout the season. That looks different for every person on the team. 3: Have fun.”

Van Bergen continues, “This is a sport that can continue for a lifetime so we hope that members of the team find joy to the point that they will continue joining leagues after they leave Blake. A few have continued to shoot in college and many join recreational leagues at their local gun clubs. This will continue to grow and keep the sport strong.”

Van Bergen’s goals for the team are quite clear and important in the world and the grand scheme of things.

Mystery Athlete: Golf Captain

Mentor

builds bonds, teammates reminisce

Tarun Gopalakrishnan | Staff Writer

The mystery athlete is one of the captains of the boys’ varsity golf team. His teammates believe is an exceptional leader and has a great sense of humor. The boys’ golf team is off to a great start with help from this mystery athlete. The athlete says, “being captain of the team has helped me learn leadership skills.”

Teammate and fellow captain Jack Griffin ‘23 noted, “He has been a great player for us because he has a great mix of competitiveness and charisma. He can be serious when we need him in matches, but also the ability to joke around and have fun with the team. Having been around him on the course for the last three years, I have seen his ability up close to make fast bonds with new guys, as well as make sure his own game is in order.”

Griffin acknowledges that, as a captain, the athlete knows the importance of bringing the team together and creating a strong bond. “He has done a great job at building solid relationships with a lot of the younger and newer players. In a game where confidence means everything, it’s good to know as a younger kid that you have a solid captain that can be there for you any time.”

Not only is this athlete a golf player but he is also a fan, as he says, “I like to think of Rory McIlroy as my idol. I try to model my swing and mental game after him.”

This athlete expressed his passion and love for the sport as he hopes to continue playing in college as the athlete explained, “I’ll maybe play club golf, and if I get a little bit better I might try and walk on.”

Ian Friederichs ‘25 claims, “[The athlete] has been incredibly supportive and kind, and as a result, he has improved my golf skills and helped me become a better person. I have also gained much knowledge from him on and off the golf course.”

Friederichs also states, “When [the athlete] graduates, I will miss playing matches with him. It has been a lot of fun playing together in matches because we make fun of each other when we hit a bad shot, help each other on the course, and laugh a lot.”

Several teammates agree that the athlete has been a great piece for the golf team for many years and the team will definitely miss him.

Can you guess the mystery athlete? Find out on blakespectrum.org!

Team celebrates seniors, prepares for sections

Synchronized swimming made a splash at their exhibition on May 11. The event was well-attended and featured solo, duet, trio, and team routines. Swimmers had coordinating costumes, hair, and makeup and performed to a wide range of songs.

The team co-ops with

Providence Academy and Minnetonka High School, who both had graduating seniors that were celebrated during the exhibition as well. The exhibition also acted as a dress rehearsal for their upcoming competitions. The team competed at Section Figures on May 13, Section Routines on May 20, and State on May 25 and 26. According to Hannah Barisonzi ‘26 “Section figures are elements, for example in ballet, you have a pirouette. It’s like a section you can use for choreography in a routine, it shows skill. Figures you’re judged on the pirouette, but in routines you’re judged on the choreography as a whole.”