Aggies to host Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 6

By NCTA News

Sporting clay enthusiasts can “break some clays” on Labor Day to show support for an Aggie team from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The NCTA Shotgun Sports athletes are hosting a Sporting Clay Shoot Monday in Curtis to help defray expenses in buying team vests and practice supplies, said NCTA Coach Alan Taylor.

Sports enthusiasts can participate between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Curtis Gun Club, the public range where NCTA team members practice twice weekly.

“We invite anyone to come out to the range, get to know our team members, and enjoy shotgun sports,” Taylor said.

Cooper Mazza, Aggie club president, is a sophomore diversified agriculture major who farms with his family near Potter, Nebraska. He joined the team a year ago when he started college because he likes to hunt and enjoys the team’s camaraderie.

“My goal this week is to get myself back in the groove and see improvements in my shooting, especially in skeet,” he said, following a long summer of farming and little target practice.

The team has more than doubled in size since 2020, with nearly 20 members, Mazza said. “We may be able to have two squads compete at the meets now.”

Some of the newer Aggies come from high school or hometown trap teams. Others joined the Aggie club because they enjoy being outdoors, hunting and learning new skills in trap, skeet, and sporting clay.

“I’d say one-third to one-half of us have the experience that it takes to compete at the collegiate level. Ability to practice on a regular basis at the local range improves skill and performance.”

The Aggies will compete in six contests this fall with the first meet Sept. 18-19 for the Midland University (Fremont) Invite held in Lincoln.

Then, NCTA hosts a large, multi-state collegiate Prairie Circuit Conference meet on Sept. 23-25 near North Platte.

“The Labor Day fundraiser is open to the public and will help us to buy the new shooting vests and ammunition for club practices. The North Platte shoot will help get us to Texas for nationals next Spring,” Mazza said.

Contestants, the college, and donations pay for travel, lodging, meals, and entry fees.

Labor Day participants do not preregister. When they arrive, they can purchase 50 targets for $20, or an unlimited number for $60.  Shooters bring their own shotguns and ammunition.

The Curtis Gun Club is located east of Curtis on Highway 23, near the airport.