Los Alamos Young Guns athletes competing in Albuquerque Saturday are, from left, Gavin Robles, Rhyen Vigil, Alyssa Vigil, Matthew Nowell, Sarah Randall, Ana Schmitz and Luisa Schmitz. Photo by Barbara Vigil
Award winners at Saturday’s competition are, from left, Luisa Schmitz, Ana Schmitz, Asst. Coach Vernon Vigil, Sarah Randall and Rhyen Vigil. Those holding hats have had them shot at in celebration of shooting their first ever 25/25. Photo by Barbara Vigil
Los Alamos Young Guns Girls Saturday, with Coach Mike O’Neill, third from left, are from left, Luisa Schmitz, Sarah Randall, Alyssa Vigil, Rhyen Vigil and Ana Schmitz. Photo by Barbara Vigil
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Young Guns Varsity girls Rhyen Vigil, Ana Schmitz and Alyssa Vigil took first, second and third place respectively in the State High School Clay Target Association Zone 1 Singles Competition Saturday in Albuquerque. Zone 1 teams are from Albuquerque, Aztec and Los Alamos.
Rhyen Vigil broke 96 out of 100 targets. There was a three-way tie for second place with 93/100, between Ana Schmitz, Alyssa Vigil and Elysia Hidalgo of Albuquerque Youth Trapshooting. Ana Schmitz broke 24/25 for second place, Alyssa Vigil broke 23/25 for third. Sarah Randall of the Young Guns also had a strong showing, just missing the three-way tie.
A balanced high performance by Ana Schmitz, taking second in singles, first in handicap and second in doubles, earned her High Overall Varsity Female with 270/300.
Sarah Randall, Ana Schmitz and Rhyen Vigil each shot a perfect 25/25 round during the competition, earning their 25 Straight pins and following tradition, each had their hat shot by the competitors.
Matthew Nowell had a strong showing with a personal best, 96/100, in singles. He came in fourth behind three athletes who tied with 98/100. Also competing in Boy’s Varisty was Gavin Robles.
Luisa Schmitz, competing in her first intermediate competition, took second place in singles, handicap and doubles.
Asst. Coach Vernon Vigil won the Coaches Challenge and also shot his first 25/25 in during the competition. He won a muzzle rest, got his 25 Straight Pin and had his hat shot up.
“”This was the first competition of the school year for the Young Guns and they performed well,” said Coach Mike O’Neill. “I think they all had fun and are looking to the season ahead.”
Los Alamos Young Guns athletes practice at the Los Alamos Sportsmen’s Club from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. O’Neill said the athletes and their parents chose Sundays to avoid conflicts with other other activities. New athletes are welcome and a limited number of club shotguns are available for use. The average weekly cost per athlete is at least $30 which includes ammunition and targets.
“We have room for five more varsity girls in grades 9-12 and nine more junior varsity girls in grades 4-8. We also have room for six more varsity boys and nine more junior varsity boys,” O’Neill said.
For more information, call (505) 309-1762.