PHOTO COURTESY OF KRYSTAL MEGGERS

TRAER – This season was one the Steel Shooters of Traer will never forget. It was our first full year practicing and competing from our own home range. While our range is still a work in progress, it’s already become home. Seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces knowing they had a place to practice together as a team made all the hard work worth it.

We were also excited to welcome several new athletes to the team this year and it didn’t take long for them to become part of the Steel Shooters family. Watching our returning athletes encourage and support the new shooters was just as rewarding as watching scores improve.

Throughout the season, our athletes represented Traer with dedication, perseverance, and outstanding sportsmanship. Whether they were working through firearm malfunctions, shooting in heat indexes well into the 100s, or cheering on their teammates, they continued to encourage one another and grow together as a team.

The season was filled with success at every level. At our Virtual Match, the team brought home two first-place team finishes and three second-place team finishes.

At the Regional Championship, the Steel Shooters brought home two third-place team finishes.

At the Iowa SASP State Championship, the Steel Shooters brought home four first-place team finishes and two second-place team finishes.

Another highlight of the season was having three Steel Shooters of Traer athletes selected to the Iowa SASP All-State Team, earning the opportunity to represent Iowa at the National Championships. Those athletes were Anthony Dudys, Brady Droste and Gwen Wical.

The season wrapped up at the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships in Marengo, Ohio. With nearly 2,800 competition entries, it was the largest National Championship in SASP history. Competing against some of the best youth shooters in the country, our team finished in the top 50% in most of our divisions.

We also celebrated two outstanding individual performances at Nationals – Brooke Bruns earned second place in her division, while Gwen Wical earned fourth place in her division. Both represented the Steel Shooters of Traer and our community with pride.

As a coach, medals are exciting, but seeing these athletes support one another, overcome challenges, and grow as a team is what makes me the proudest. Watching them become confident, responsible young people has been the greatest achievement of all.

Community events

The community is invited to celebrate with us at the Steel Shooters Awards Ceremony set for Saturday, Aug. 30, beginning at 3 p.m. at Taylor Park in Traer. Everyone is welcome. If you’ve ever wondered what the Steel Shooters of Traer was all about, we’d love to meet you!

We also invite the community to join us this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon for our Try-It Day. The range is located at 1597 S. Main St./PP Ave, Traer. During your visit to Traer for the 2026 Winding Stairs Festival, come meet some of our team, watch demonstrations, learn about firearm safety, and see firsthand what the Steel Shooters program is all about.