Posted at: 10/01/2012 10:46 PM
Updated at: 10/01/2012 10:47 PM
By: Steph Crock

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Austin Schools to Add Trap Shooting?

(ABC 6 News ) -- Austin schools could be picking up a new activity, trap shooting for grades 6 through 12. Sounds alarming at first, but many want to add a league to Austin schools.

A number of parents and students gathered at Austin High School to show their support for the idea.

It's an activity that some Austin students have been doing on their own time. "I really enjoy doing it in gun safety school when we shoot trap," said 9th grader Maria Deyo.

Enough so, that some approached high school officials, and that's what Monday night’s meeting was all about. "Really to see how many students out there are interested," said Activities Director Lisa Quednow-Bickler.

No problem with the turn out, and surprisingly no one showed up to shoot down this idea. "I can’t guess what the school board will say. I think in this avenue, it’s my job to see what the interest level is and then hear the concerns and the positives before we move on a decision," said Quednow-Bickler.

Walking through all of the details, most importantly, how is this safe? "Every student that participates has their safety certificate, and safety on the range in our number one," said Doug Bathke, a member on the Austin Trap Shooting Committee.

"The league has very strict rules about fire marshals, who have to be on the course when students are practicing and participating," said Quednow-Bickler.

A topic that'll likely be a deciding point for the board. Either way, the students that showed up tonight are excited that they may finally have an activity that suites them. " Not very many people who enjoy hunting have a sport in school that they could do," said Deyo.

"I was glad to hear that you can letter in it because I really want to letter in something but I don't have a sport," said 9th grader Samantha Pinkava.

Some schools in our area including Glenville - Emmons, Northwood-Kensett, and Alden-Conger already have trap shooting leagues. The idea will go in front of the board in November.