Milbank Clay Target Team Wins Conference Championship

The Milbank High School clay target team defended its conference title and was named Conference 3 champion in Class A for the second consecutive year. “It’s been a great season,” said Milbank coach Paul Sayler. “The team and league just keep growing.”

Milbank won the title with a five-week season point total of 5,433. Elk Point-Vermillion High School was the runner-up with 4,412.5 points. Britton-Hecla finished third with 4,406.5 points, and Canton was fourth with 3,563. Bowdle High School had 2,660 points.

Members of the Milbank team include: Alec Bien, Nate Bien, Tanner Bock, Casey Buttke, Jake Fox, Nathan Hansen, Lucas Hanson, Nolan Hanson, Isaac Johnson, Matt Lenards, Nathaniel McFarland, Karlee Mertens, Logan Meyer, Trevor Nolting, Chase Pinkert, Gage Sayler, Austin Schuelke, Tate Stricherz, Caden Wollschlager, Isaiah Wollschlager, and Riley Wollschlager.

Tanner Bock was named to the 2017 All-State team by the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League. He is among the top 50 shooters in the league who received the honor. His season average is 21.9 points. “Tanner has done a great job again this season,” stated Sayler. “I have had three colleges contact me inquiring about Tanner.”

Milbank had its first female, Karlee Mertens, in the league this year. “Karlee has done really well for us,” stated Sayler. Her season average was 12.1 points. At the state event, Mertens will compete in the girls division, but her scores will also be added to the team results.

Milbank will compete at the state shoot on Saturday, June 10, in Aberdeen. The 11 athletes attending are: Alec Bien, Nate Bien, Tanner Bock, Nathan Hansen, Nolan Hanson, Isaac Johnson, Nathaniel McFarland, Karlee Mertens, Logan Meyer, Chase Pinkert, and Austin Schuelke.

Milbank is currently fifth in the team standings for Class A. Four conferences make up the class. Teams ahead of Milbank include Pierre, Platte-Geddes, Yankton, and Brookings.

Milbank team members are: (back l. to r.) Tanner Bock, Nate Bien, Karlee Mertens, Chase Pinkert, and Alec Bien. Front row: Riley Wollschlager, Nathan Hansen, Gage Sayler, and Nolan Hanson.