By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Not every kid can run a 4.4 40-yard dash.
They all can’t dunk a basketball or hit a baseball 400 feet.
But just about every kid can shoot a gun.
And in Burlington, kids as young as 9 or 10 are working on their craft as trap shooters, with year-round practice and dedication.
The hard work has turned the Burlington Demons trap shooting team into a national powerhouse.
After winning three straight national titles, the Demons tested their skills recently at nationals in Sparta, Ill.
The Demons landed in fourth overall in the nation, but the junior varsity squad won the national title in the trap category. Shooters participate in skeet, sporting clays and trap categories.
J.V. trap shooters included Weston Uhlenhake, Hunter Conrad, Josh Muellenbach, Cullen Kruser and Jarod Hahn. The squad shot a 948 out of 1,000.
Uhlenhake, the No. 1 J.V. shooter in the country, took first place with a 196 out of 200.
First-year coach Mark Wilken said Tuesday that Burlington brought 36 kids of all high school ages down to the tournament. The overall score was compiled with the three best skeet and sporting clays scores on the team, and the five best trap scores.
“The best thing to do as a coach is get out of the kids’ way and let them shoot,” Wilken said. “It wasn’t disappointing to not win nationals again. It’s incredible to say you’re the fourth-best high school in the United States.”
Skeet scores used were from Conrad, Zach Hahn and Josh Grisham. Sporting clays scores were taken from Grisham, Conrad and Kaylee Lancour.
Trap scores were compiled from Uhlenhake, Jarod Hahn, Brian Morris, Conrad and Zach Hahn.
Uhlenhake, a J.V. competitor, is the No. 1 J.V. shooter in the country.
While scores are counted individually and some kids naturally stand out from others, Wilken said the team aspect is very important.
“We have very talented kids,” he said. “It was a team effort. The high overall award is a truly a team award.”
The trap stars compete from March to July and compete in a conference with several local schools, including Waterford, Lake Geneva Badger, Union Grove, Wilmot and Westosha Central.
This season, Burlington won the state overall title at the Waukesha Gun Club.
Wilken said the Demons play year-round despite high costs. The team provides guns to use, but athletes must purchase shells and rounds. The good shooters, Wilken said, pay for thousands of rounds per season.
Burlington practices twice per week, but there are places to practice every day.
Wilken said trap shooting is a unique draw for kids, and you don’t have to be the prototypical athlete.
“It caters to kids that fit into regular sports,” he said. “And kid can do it.”
Wilken replaced Chet Tuinstra, and Tom Wondrash helped build the program before Tuinstra.
Wilken said parental support is huge, as parents are willing to drive their kids to practices.
“I loved my first year,” he said. “It’s fun to watch the kids obtain personal goals.”
Wilken said the team grows every year, as 70 kids came out this season.
Other scores
The rookies squad took first place at nationals.
That included Wyatt Wilken, Frankie Giaimo, Chloe Uhlenhake, Reid Muellenbach and Abigail Conrad.
Courtney Uhlenhake took first in the Intermediate Advanced Girl category.
The varsity took third place in doubles trap. The team included Mariah Kerr, Lancour, Zach Hahn, Grisham and Cody Kreuscher
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