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🦖ANKENY DINO MEET – Wind, Speed, and Straight Grit

April 18th, 2026

The Grinnell Sure Shots traveled to Ankeny on April 18th for the Dino Meet, where the sun may have been out—but the wind had other plans.

From the first squad on, targets came out fast, low, and doing things they probably weren’t supposed to do. The wind kept shooters guessing all day, forcing constant adjustments and testing even the most disciplined fundamentals. This wasn’t a “pretty” shoot—it was a grind.

And that’s exactly where this team showed up.

🏆 Team Highlights

Despite the brutal conditions, the Sure Shots turned in some impressive performances:

1st Place – Intermediate Team (203)
1st Place – Senior Team (229)

That’s right—two team wins on a day where conditions were anything but easy.

💬 The Reality of the Day

This wasn’t about perfect scores—it was about who could adapt.

The wind pushed targets off line, dropped them early, and created angles that forced shooters to trust their eyes, trust their hold points, and most importantly—stay mentally tough.

Days like this separate shooters. Not by score—but by response.

And this team responded.

🔥 Individual Standouts

Cameron Corey & Damien Haines led the Varsity group with strong 47s
Tyler Brown added a solid 46 in tough conditions
Alaina Holmes took 1st in Ladies JV with a 39
Liberty Starrett tied for 2nd in Ladies Varsity with a 44
Ryen McGee earned a 2nd place finish in Ladies Intermediate Entry (29)

🎯 Final Thought

You can’t control the wind.
You can’t control the target.

But you can control your focus, your discipline, and your mindset.

And that’s exactly what the Sure Shots did.

💥 Knoxville Invitational – Rain, Grit, and Gold: Sure Shots Dominate Knoxville Invitational

April 11, 2026

The Grinnell Sure Shots traveled to Knoxville on April 11th to compete in the Knoxville Invitational, facing not only strong competition but also rainy conditions that persisted throughout the entire day.

From the first squad to the last, athletes battled wet weather, slick conditions, and the mental grind that comes with shooting in the rain. Despite the challenges, our team showed toughness, focus, and resilience—qualities that define strong competitors.

The highlight of the day came from our Varsity squad, who delivered an outstanding performance and took 1st place as a team with a score of 233, leading the field in a competitive lineup .

Individually, several athletes stepped up in a big way:

Tyler Brown led the team with an impressive 49
Liberty Starrett followed closely with a 48, also earning top female honors at the event
Strong supporting scores from Joel Koepp (46) and Jase Aldridge (46) helped secure the team victory

Our Intermediate Advanced squad also had a strong showing, finishing 2nd overall as a team with a score of 203, continuing to build momentum as the season progresses .

Even in the toughest conditions, our athletes continued to improve, compete, and represent Grinnell with pride. Matches like this are where growth happens—not when conditions are perfect, but when they are far from it.

💬 Final Thought:
Rain or shine, the mindset stays the same — step on the line, trust your training, and compete.

💥 North Mahaska Invitational – A Tough One to Open the Season

April 4th, 2026

This past Saturday, the Grinnell Sure Shots traveled to the North Mahaska Invitational at the Ottumwa Izaak Walton League, and it turned into a true test right out of the gate. As the first official competition of the 2026 season, it didn’t take long for our athletes to realize this wasn’t going to be an easy day.

The conditions made sure of that.

With steady wind, cold temperatures, and targets that seemed to have a mind of their own, this match challenged more than just shooting ability. It tested focus, patience, and the mental side of the game. These are the types of days where things don’t always go as planned, and how you respond becomes just as important as how you shoot.

And our athletes responded.

From an individual standpoint, there were strong performances across both the boys and girls divisions. On the men’s side, Brock VanBriesen led the way in Intermediate/Advanced, taking 1st place overall with a 45, while Maximus Starrett followed with a 43. In Senior/Varsity, Joel Koepp turned in a strong 45, with Jase Aldridge right behind at 44—solid early-season scores in a very competitive field.

On the ladies’ side, the performances were just as impressive. Alaina Holmes led the entire Senior/Jr. Varsity division, taking 1st place with a 44, setting the tone for the day and showing she’s already in mid-season form.

In the Senior/Varsity division, Grinnell was well represented with Trinity Ahrens and Mia Starrett both posting scores of 40, while Liberty Starrett added a solid 39 in a deep field that saw top scores in the mid-40s.

We also saw contributions across the lineup, with athletes continuing to gain experience and confidence in competition settings. Whether it was competing for the top of the leaderboard or gaining valuable match experience, every round mattered.

But beyond the scores, what stood out most was the mindset.

Throughout the day, we saw shooters stay locked in, make adjustments, and continue to compete regardless of the conditions. There were moments of frustration, no doubt, but there was also resilience. Athletes reset, trusted their training, and kept stepping back on the line ready for the next target. That’s the kind of mindset that builds strong competitors.

While the scores may not tell the whole story, the effort absolutely does. This match gave our team an early look at what it takes to perform when things aren’t perfect—and that’s where real growth happens. These are the experiences that prepare us for the rest of the season and beyond.

At the end of the day, this was a valuable start. Not because everything went smoothly, but because it didn’t—and our athletes still showed up, competed, and pushed through.

We’re proud of this group and the way they handled themselves. If this is how we’re starting the season, there’s a lot to be excited about moving forward.

Let’s keep building. 💪

💥 Otter Creek ATA Shoot – Strong Showing by Grinnell Sure Shots

March 29th, 2026

This past weekend, the Grinnell Sure Shots headed to Otter Creek for an ATA shoot—and the team showed up ready to compete.

With 59 shooters in Singles and strong competition across the board, our athletes didn’t just participate… they made noise.

🎯 Singles Highlights (59 Shooters)

It was a great day on the line with multiple athletes finishing near the top:

Liberty – 97 💥
➤ 2nd Place Overall
➤ 1st Place – C Class
Alaina – 95
➤ Tie for 4th Overall
➤ 3rd Place – B Class
Tyler B. – 95
➤ Tie for 4th Overall
➤ Tie for 2nd – A Class
Jase – 93
➤ Tie for 5th Overall
➤ Tie for 2nd – C Class
Brock – 93
➤ Tie for 5th Overall
➤ Tie for 4th – B Class
Blayne – 92
➤ Tie for 6th Overall
➤ Tie for 5th – B Class

👉 Strong consistency across the board—this is exactly what we like to see early in the season.

🏆 Handicap Highlights (26 Shooters)

Alaina – 94 💥
➤ Tie for 1st Place
Jase – 85
➤ Tie for 6th Place

🔥 Doubles Highlights (26 Shooters)

Alaina – 86
➤ Tie for 4th Overall
➤ 2nd Place – C Class

🎉 Milestones – 25 Straight Club

We also had some big personal milestones this weekend—these are the moments athletes remember:

First 25 Straight of the Season

Liberty Starrett
Jase Aldridge
Alaina Holmes

First 25 Straight EVER in Competition 💥

Brock VanBriensen
Jackson McGee

👉 These are HUGE accomplishments and a sign of the hard work paying off. Once you get that first one… more are coming.

💬 Final Thoughts

This was a great early-season test for our athletes. Different formats, solid competition, and a chance to step outside the normal SCTP flow—all of it adds value.

What stood out most wasn’t just the scores… it was the confidence, composure, and willingness to compete.

We’re building something strong here—and this was another step forward.

📸 For more photos and updates, keep checking back on our blog page and team updates.

🦅 Sure Shots Serve It Up at the Izaak Walton League Fish Fry!

November 6, 2025 – Grinnell, Iowa

The Grinnell Sure Shots once again stepped up to support our community — this time at the Izaak Walton League Fish Fry hosted at the Eagles Lodge.

Our team of volunteers arrived ready to help, serve, and represent the program with pride. From greeting guests to helping in the kitchen, clearing tables, and making sure everyone had a great evening — they did it all (and maybe enjoyed a few bites along the way! 😄).

👏 Volunteer Shout-Outs

A big thank you goes out to our athletes and coaches who gave their time to make this event a success:

Athletes:
Trinity Ahrens • Alaina Holmes • Brock Van Briesen • Emmit Otto • Eli Bauman • Cameron Corey

Coaches:
Jeff Bauman • Seth Holmes

Not only did our athletes lend a helping hand, but Coaches Bauman and Holmes also rolled up their sleeves and joined in on the cooking — proving that leadership starts with example.

We’d also like to recognize our Grinnell Sure Shots athletes who participated through the Boy Scouts:
Daimen Haines • Nile Smith • Durk Sokol • Joseph Sokol
These young men did an outstanding job helping serve and support the event alongside their troop. It’s great to see our athletes making a difference in multiple organizations across the community!

📸 Picture-Perfect Moments

We had a great turnout, great food, and even better memories. Some of our favorite photos captured the athletes hard at work in the kitchen… and maybe doing just a little too much taste-testing along the way!

❤️ Community Impact

Events like this remind us that the Sure Shots are more than just a trap team — we’re a family that values teamwork, service, and community. Every volunteer effort strengthens not just our program, but the bonds we share within Grinnell.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the evening a success — we’re proud of each and every one of you!

🦅 Grinnell Sure Shots Volunteer at Pheasants Forever Banquet

October 31, 2025 — Brownell’s Headquarters, Grinnell, Iowa

The Grinnell Sure Shots Trap Team once again showed what teamwork, professionalism, and community spirit look like in action! Our athletes and coaches volunteered at the Pheasants Forever Banquet hosted by Brownell’s on Halloween night, helping serve guests, assist with raffles, and keep the event running smoothly from start to finish.

The Pheasants Forever Board shared wonderful feedback following the event, expressing how grateful they were for the Sure Shots’ help throughout the night. It’s clear our team continues to make a strong impression not only on the range, but in the community as well.

To all of our athletes and coaches who gave up their Friday evening — and their Halloween night — to represent the Sure Shots, thank you. Your time and effort make a real difference in how our program is seen and supported across the region.

And as an added bonus, every Sure Shot who volunteered (and even a few who couldn’t attend) came away with something from the Youth Drawing — a fun reward for an evening of great work!

We are proud of the example this team continues to set both in competition and in service.
Thank you all for representing the Grinnell Sure Shots with pride, class, and community spirit.

🦆 Youth Pheasant Hunt – October 19, 2025

On Sunday, October 19th, twelve young hunters took to the field for the annual Youth Pheasant Hunt, an event filled with excitement, learning, and plenty of pheasants!

Among the group were four of our very own Grinnell Sure Shots athletes — Brock VanBriesen, Ryan Kostow, Nile Smith, and Max Starrett — who represented the team with enthusiasm and great sportsmanship.

👏 Kudos to Ryan Kostow, who kicked off the day by shooting the first bird with an outstanding shot!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Steve and Ryan Plate for graciously allowing the group to hunt on their beautiful land, and to Cody Jensen for hosting everyone in his excellent shop. Another huge thank you to the Poweshiek County Pheasants Forever Chapter for organizing this amazing event and giving our youth a safe, fun, and memorable opportunity to experience the outdoors.

Events like this remind us that it’s not just about shooting — it’s about community, mentorship, and building a lifelong love for the sport.

🎶 Teamwork in Action: Grinnell Sure Shots Volunteer at Brownells 85 & 80 Concert

On September 27th, several of our Grinnell Sure Shots athletes and parents volunteered their time to help at the Brownells 85 & 80 Anniversary Concert — an incredible community event filled with great music, local pride, and teamwork!

Our volunteers helped with parking, cleanup, and guest support throughout the evening, proudly representing the Sure Shots program with professionalism and enthusiasm. Their efforts did not go unnoticed — the Brownells team generously donated $2,500.00 to support the Grinnell Sure Shots program.

This donation will go directly toward athlete development, practice supplies, and travel support for the upcoming season. More importantly, it highlights the strength of our community and the spirit of service that defines our team.

A huge thank you to Brownells for their generosity and continued partnership, and to all the athletes, parents, and coaches who made this night a success. Events like these show that when we work together — both on and off the range — we all win.

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