Top shooters compete in GR

While much of the excitement focused on the National High School Finals Rodeo is in Rock Springs, Green River is also host to some of the competition.

Monday and Tuesday, competitors in the NHSFR light rifle event converged at the outdoor shooting range the city operates near FMC Park. The shooting sports competition also includes a trap shooting event, which takes place at the Sweetwater Trap Club in Rock Springs. According to information from the NHSFR, the shooting events were introduced to the rodeo in 2005 in partnership with the NRA.

Much like the rodeo itself, the shooting sports attracts high-level competitors from throughout the United States, as well as several countries.

For Ethan Usher, a competitor from Santa Ynez, Calif., the competition also means representing the NRA and National High School Rodeo Association. He was appointed the Brownell's National Youth Shooting Sports ambassador in September of 2017 and while he describes himself as a rodeo competitor first and foremost, he said he also enjoys the shooting competitions.

Usher, who has been shooting his entire life, said the shooting sports competitions display skills typically needed for hunting and target shooting and brings those skills to a larger audience. He said both competitions challenge participants to be the best they can given the conditions they're shooting in.

Maddie Gillett, an Oakley, Utah, resident and Utah's reserve champion, also said the challenge is something she enjoys. Gillett has competed in shooting competitions for last year's NHSFR in Gillette and the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo in Iowa the year prior. Gillett said the competition requires a lot of dedication.

"I don't think it's too difficult, if you practice," she said. "You have to focus."

For a stage like the NHSFR, she said the level everyone competes at requires them to bring their A game to the range, but admits she has fun while competing.

 

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