SUDLERSVILLE — Kent County High School’s fledgling clay target club will go head to head with established teams from Queen Anne’s, Kent Island and Easton high schools tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 8) in trap and skeet in a competition that is being called War on the Shore.
Triple Shots 4-H Club, which is essentially the feeder program for KCHS’ and Queen Anne’s County High School’s clay target programs, also has been invited.
Sudlersville Skeet Club, located at 1240 Duhamel Corner Road, is hosting the event. This is the home range for Queen Anne’s and Kent Island high schools.
The first squad will start shooting at 9 a.m. in the all-day event; shoot-offs should begin at 3 or 4 p.m., according to Brad Moore, who is the head coach for Kent County High School’s club.
As many as 80 youth are expected to compete, Moore said.
Spectators are welcome.
This is the first year of a trap and skeet program for Kent County High School students.
KCHS administration conducted a community forum in June with parents and students. More than 60 people attended, including Superintendent Mary McComas and Supervisor of Athletics Dan Hushion.
The interest in establishing a program was so strong that it was decided to bring a proposal to the Kent County Board of Education for further discussion.
At its Aug. 11 meeting, after questions about safety measures, funding, number of athletes and coaches, league affiliation and insurance were addressed, the school board unanimously approved the club.
Members of the clay target club must abide by the same standards as KCHS’ varsity sports programs as they relate to academics and discipline. All club members also must have a completed physical on file with the school and they are required to have successfully completed a hunter safety course.
The roster of 21 includes three girls, according to Moore.
Most of the club members, but not all of them, have hunting or target shooting experience.
Practices began the first week of school and have been held two or three times a week at either the Kent County Gun Club at Goose Hill just outside of Chestertown or the DuPont Fish & Game Association near Millington.
Both organizations “have been bending over backward for us,” Moore said.
The National Wild Turkey Federation also has been very supportive with donations of pellet ammunition.
Practices have been in the evenings and on Sundays to accommodate the KCHS students, some of whom also are playing varsity sports for the Trojans.
In addition to Moore, the coaches are Russ Parson, Jack Kemp, Brandon Mitzel, Jeremy Montooth, Josh Homyack , Greg Hawn and Michael Legg.
For every 10 shooters there is a coach and range safety officer.
Saturday’s War on the Shore competition at the Sudlersville Skeet Club will wrap up the fall season for KCHS.
The spring season will be much longer, and will likely start in March, according to Moore.
