Defender Clay Dusters Compete in 2021 State Collegiate Trap Championship

The Defender Clay Dusters, Dordt University’s club trap shooting team, had a busy week with winning results. Dominick “Dom” Ver Meer, a freshman engineering major from Pella, Iowa had continued success by winning state skeet with a score of 197/200.

On Saturday, April 10, the Defenders participated in the 2021 Collegiate Trap Championship at Mahaska County Izaak Walton League in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in the disciplines of skeet and sporting clays. Dordt’s club team also competed in the trap championship on Saturday, April 17, at the Stockdale Gun Club in Ackley, Iowa. The Clay Dusters shot a combined score of 875/1000.

Dordt’s trapshooting club was represented by Jason Enerson, club founder and president; Ver Meer; Cole Evans; and Grant Van Zee in the disciplines of trap, skeet, and sporting clays in the state championship. Ashayla Soodsma, also a member of the Clay Dusters, competed in the discipline of trap.

“Having competed at the national and world level, the state shoot doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. I guess when you look back at it the opportunity to shoot and represent my team at the state level is a surreal feeling,” says Enerson. “Even when you have bad performances it is fun to put your skills up against some of the best in the state.”

Present at the competitions was Dr. Tom Prinsen, the club’s faculty adviser and a Dordt communication professor. “After not competing in the fall because of Covid-19, getting out and competing has been exciting. Dom winning a state championship made it even more special,” says Prinsen.

The team competed in tough conditions but made memories with their teammates. They had the opportunity to represent Dordt in the state of Iowa in one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.

The club also competed at their home range, the Rock Valley Gun Club, against the NICC Thunder Sports Shooting Team. Dordt lost with a score of 391 to 406. Ver Meer tied for first place overall with a score of 89/100. Club members of all skill levels were present at the shoot.

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.