At the November 19th Berlin CSD Board of Education meeting, the Berlin Middle High Clay Target Team made a presentation to the board. The Board of Education gave the club official approval in early 2019, and it has been growing ever since thanks to the dedication of coaches Mrs. June Hoffman and Mr. Bob Hoffman.
Kyle Collen, a Berlin senior and member of the Clay Target team, started the presentation by highlighting the club’s top priority: safety. All student athletes and coaches attend a New York State Hunter Education course before the first practice. Kyle also spoke about the team’s season, ways to support their fundraising efforts, and invited the community to watch them compete during their fall and spring seasons, on Sunday mornings at 9 am at the Berlin Rod and Gun Club. The presentation aimed to raise awareness about the Trap Club and its outstanding successes this fall season. Trap Club members Landon Demers, Lucas Demers, Grant Kernes, Gavin Kernes, and Kyle Collen, along with coach Mrs. Hoffman, presented the trophy the team received for coming in first place in their conference for the Spring 2023/Fall 2024 season.
Kyle shared the following outstanding individual placements from fall 2024 with those in attendance. Fall 2024 Individual Placement:
Kyle Collen – 1st in conference (13th in state)
Landon Demers – 4th in conference (79th in state)
Gavin Kernes – 5th in conference (92nd in state)
Brian Stevens – 6th in conference
Garrett Morgan – 10th in conference
Grant Kernes – 24th in conference
Lucas Demers – 25th in conference
This season the team’s achievements were very impressive. During the board presentation Kyle Collen received a medal from Coach Hoffman for his 1st in conference rank. Coach Hoffman spoke about Kyle’s super session at the beginning of the season during the presentation. Kyle received a 50 straight patch during one of the season’s first sessions, then shot 25 more straight for a 75, and finished the session with an impressive score of 96 out of 100. Coach Hoffman did not have a 75 straight patch at the time but presented Kyle with one during the meeting on the 19th. “Getting a 25 straight is difficult enough; this is really impressive,” Coach Hoffman said.
The team hopes more Mountaineers will join the Clay Target Team, leading to more members and more support.
The team thanked Berlin Middle High School Principal Mr. David Bernsley and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mrs. Meghan Reynolds for providing official uniforms this season. The team members were excited to get to wear them for the first time the night of the presentation.
Find the Clay Target Team ‘s presentation linked here and follow their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046445078481 for updates on their accomplishments and fundraising.
Congratulations on an outstanding season! The community looks forward to your spring 2025 season.
Go Mountaineers!!