Manitoba was again represented at the Canadian Trapshooting Championships earlier this month.
Typically led by Pat Lamont of Brandon, a different trio of homegrown products—Lorne Ross, Jeffrey Halldorson, and his son Logan—hit their marks and returned home with some hardware for their efforts at Vancouver Gun Club in Richmond, B.C.
“Manitoba always shoots above its weight,” said Ross, a Stonewall resident who captured the singles C Class title.
Ross has been a mainstay locally since 1996, winning numerous titles on the provincial level, but never found his groove nationally. In his fourth appearance at the Canadian Championships, however, he put on a show, hitting 195 out of 200 targets to earn his first win.
“I think it was the seventh-highest score out of 160-something shooters, so I was pretty pleased with that,” Ross said, adding his national title drought never really bothered him.
“I’m pretty chill. I shoot for fun, I love shooting, so whether I win or lose doesn’t really bother me,” he said. “I was pleased I won, I always wanted to, but shooting is just fun.
“(Logan) winning probably made me happier than me winning.”
Logan, 12, was the youngest representative from Manitoba at the meet by a long shot but showed his age — and limited experience — aren’t reasons to overlook the blossoming marksman.
In his second appearance at the national tournament, Logan won the doubles junior event, marking the second year in a row he’s accomplished that feat. This one came against older shooters, many of whom had more experience on the national stage.
While there is typically a sub-junior (15 and under) and junior (15-18 years old) division, this year’s event only featured the junior category, meaning every minor competitor was in the same field.
“I was kind of more comfortable but still get a little nervous sometimes because Vancouver has different rules,” he said. “If you miss, it kind of makes you mad because you know you’re going up against better people and trying to win the awards.”
The St. Laurent preteen began trapshooting just three years ago and has quickly shown a knack for rising to the occasion. He won the junior doubles event last summer, too, which he says is just the first step in his career.
“The one that I haven’t won yet is singles so that’s the one that I’m really trying to get at,” he said. “I just need more practice.”
Logan was accompanied by his father, Jeffrey, who had some business of his own to attend to at the coastal meet.
Jeffrey, also shooting in his second national tournament, picked his way through the field and left with two titles: the preliminary handicap for short yardage and the doubles in D Class for the second year in a row. The short yardage event had Jeffery stand 20 yards behind the trap house, from where he pegged 95 out of 100 targets.
“It was nice that we both won some hardware,” Jeffery said of him and his son.
“It was great to see my son win. I don’t get to see when he shoots, just because I kind of distract him when I’m watching him so I just walk away and let him do his thing and find out at the end.”
The Halldorsons, whose experience shooting was exclusively in hunting, began trapshooting together three years ago at the Winnipeg Trap and Skeet Club. Logan was hooked almost immediately, and Jeffery followed suit shortly after.
For Dad, it’s a hobby that breaks up his time on the road for work. For Logan, it’s become his primary extracurricular activity since he doesn’t play sports. Together, it’s a bonding opportunity for the duo, who continue to improve with each competition.
“It’s a fun little thing to do for me and him,” Jeffery said. “It’s something we get to enjoy, and it’s nice.”
Neither intends to leave the sport anytime soon; both believe their time in it has only begun.
“It’s just fun, and I’m just natural, and I do well, so that’s helped a lot,” Logan said. “It makes me want to try more and get better.”
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