FERNDALE – On Wednesday, September 30, the Monticello Trap Team invited school officials and local dignitaries to their match day. According to Head Coach Jay Mendels, “The fall season is a short one, while the spring is our primary season, ending in June with the New York State High School Target League state competition in Syracuse. The most important thing is safety, and that is expected of all who visit a team practice. “Safety isn’t just a rule; it’s the culture,” they recite before the start of every practice and competition.

 Trap shooting has a record for being among the safest school sports in the country. Since the USA Clay Target League’s inception in 2008, its website reports no recorded injuries to athletes, coaches, or spectators, a statistic Mendels is proud of and mindful of. To help set parents’ minds at ease, Mendels says, “I stress that this is first and foremost a firearm safety program. Everyone must have a prerequisite safety course before they can join the team, and I’m very inclusive. I want the parents to sit in when I’m giving the safety class.”

 Assembly Member Paula Kay was in attendance and spoke about her support of the program and a $15,000 grant she allocated to the Monticello School District specifically earmarked for the trap team. Last year, Kay honored the Monticello Trap Team in Albany. After reciting the safety briefing, students stepped up to the firing line to fire their first rounds. A few standout students for Week 2 were Jaden Washington and Dillon Cole, who both shot their first perfect rounds of the regular season. They join Liam Brasington in the “25 Club” this fall!  Cole’s 23.5 average currently puts him in a tie for first place in their conference. Maci McGinnis, Christian Bastone, Shaia Friehling, and Aiden Schnitzer also put up great numbers in Week 2.

 One of the novice members, Yandiel Olivo, has improved in just a few short weeks, according to his mom, Catherine. Olivo approached his mother last year, but he was too young to participate. “As soon as he was old enough, he took the safety course online and met with Coach Jay and had an in-person firearm safety course. Their golden rule is to treat every firearm as if it is loaded. That’s something that I appreciate,” she said.

“Our novice athletes are working hard and continue to show improvement during matches and practices, with many “personal best” scores being added each week, shared Mendels.

The team meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Sullivan County Conservation Club. The fall season is scheduled to run through October 21.