MHS CTL: Leek Leads the Way in LW2

In League Week 2, shooters for the Marshall High School Clay Target League Team (MHS CTL) continued on their steady pace, posting impressive scores up and down the roster despite having Monday night’s shoot moved due to a weather system that dumped 6 to 10 inches of snow on the region. Following the warm up on Tuesday, Sophomore Ben Leek rode a hot streak on rounds of 24 and a perfect 25 to lead the team with a total of 49.  Freshman Kaden Strate logged his second perfect round of the season after a round of 23 for a total of 48, and Senior Ryan VanMoer posted a pair of 24s for a top-three finish. VanMoer remains in the top 25 shooters (out of 11,400) across all classes in the state with a 24.25 average.

Top performers for MHS CTL in League Week 2 were:

First       Last                     R1           R2           Tot
Ben        Leek                      24           25           49
Kaden   Strate                    23           25           48
Ryan      VanMoer             24           24           48
Tannyr  Curry                  23           24           47
Cody      Kesteloot            23           23           46
Karter   DeSmet                23           22           45
Samuel Dieken                  22           23           45
John      Callens                  21           23           44
Ryan      Landmark            21           23           44

“Ben has been knocking at the door for some time now,” said Coach Nick Simonson, “this was a breakthrough performance and proof that his continued practice is paying off; his dedication to the team and heightened focus is evident,” he concluded.

Average totals for the team remained at 34.8, on par with the previous two sessions, but this week, 45 shooters logged at least one round of 20, up 10 from League Week 1.   The team gained nearly 2,000 points in the overall standings, and while still sitting in fourth place overall, is knocking on the top three in Conference 2 of Class 9A, the class hosting the largest teams in all of Minnesota.

MHS CTL is coached by a staff of 13 volunteers, and supported by a number of parents who help instruct, score and supervise 80 youth.  The program is funded by generous donations from a number of local conservation and sportsmen’s groups and area businesses including: Lyon County Pheasants Forever, Redwood River Sportsmen’s Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Minnesota Trappers Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Marshall Radio, Lockwood Motors, ABRA Auto Body & Glass, Friends of the NRA, Gustafson C&C Course and Don & Gena Atcher.

For more information on the team and to keep up with MHS CTL, visit their official Facebook Page: facebook.com/mhsctl