Local shooter named to state

For the second straight year Spencer Ellwanger of Sidney has been named to the 2014 Nebraska Trapshooting Association State Team.

Ellwanger, 15, earned his place on the state team in the sub-junior category after qualifying in three different disciplines.

To qualify for the team in the sub-junior age group one must have a minimum of 1,000 targets from the 16-yard line, 1,000 targets from the shooter's handicap yardage (18-27 yards) and 500 doubles targets (two targets at one time).

"It's a good family sport for us," said Spencers father Jeff Ellwanger. "It's great to have two sons to have made it on the state team."

Spencer is one of three Ellwanger children that is an active trap shooter. Jeffery Ellwanger, Jr. made the state team in 1999-2000 and 12-year old Tommy is just becoming active in the Sidney Sharpshooters.

The children of Jeff and Marva Ellwanger are third generation trap shooters. Jeff's father Gary Ellwanger began the family tradition.

The Sidney Sharpshooters practice and host their competitions at the Sidney Shooting Park. Their competitive season opens on March 15, at Hyannis and they will host a competition on April 26 at 9 a.m. The 2014 Nebraska State Championships will again be held in Doniphan on May 2-3.

Ellwanger qualified for the state team by virtue of his performance at Amateur Trapshooting Association events around Nebraska. The size of the fields vary from 10-50 of all ages at local gun club shoots to the Nebraska State Championships where there are about 350-600 competitors.

Ellwanger placed third overall in the Nebraska State Handicap Championship in Doniphan last season. He also won four non-resident trophies at the Iowa State Trap Shoot.

While strong in all three diciplines required for inclusion on the state team, Ellwanger has been especially proficient in handicap. Among the state team qualifiers, he far outpaced the other qualifiers in handicap.

Details and more contact information on the Sidney Sharpshooters youth program can be found at their website http://www.sidneyshootingpark.com.