EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Gun Club wrapped up its Spring 2026 High School Trap League season Tuesday, May 5, 2026, closing an eight-week schedule and a season-ending shoot-off that drew student athletes from four area high schools and a crowd of families and supporters to the club’s fields.
The league, hosted entirely at the Edwardsville Gun Club, brought together teams from Edwardsville High School, Triad High School, Collinsville High School, and Metro-East Lutheran High School. The season concluded with a shoot-off between the top squads from the Chippers and Dusters divisions for league titles.
“League nights have become something special out here,” said Dale Steinmetz, the club’s president. “During the season, the parking lot is completely full. Families stay for hours watching rounds, cheering for shooters, and supporting not just their own teams, but kids from every school.”
The program began in 2015 and has grown into its 11th season of hosting high school trap shooting competition, according to the club. Steinmetz said the league’s continued success comes from dedicated volunteer coaches, supportive families, and a welcoming club atmosphere that makes the sport accessible to new shooters.
In the Chippers Division shoot-off, EHS Tigers A won the championship. MELHS Golden Knights placed second and THS Gold Rush finished third.
In the Dusters Division, MELHS Silver Lances claimed first place. EHS Tigers D earned second and THS Black Knights took third.
Individual honors were awarded at the end of the season.
Top male shooters by school were Camden Geiler of Triad, Dalton Phegley of Collinsville, Colton Aguiar of Metro-East Lutheran and Carter Jackson of Edwardsville. Top female shooters by school were Kailynn Lanahan of Triad, Raeleigh Pfershy of Collinsville, Katie Ritchie of Metro-East Lutheran and Kailey Kochan of Edwardsville.
Overall top male shooter honors were shared by Phegley and Jackson, while Ritchie earned overall top female shooter honors.
The league also recognized two seniors continuing into military service after graduation. Jackson will continue through Air Force ROTC, while Aguiar will join the United States Coast Guard.
The club said 109 student-athletes participated this spring. Steinmetz said the league has introduced hundreds of local students to shooting sports over the last decade and aims to build “confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and sportsmanship both on and off the line.”
