Hot Springs Claybusters finish as trapshooting state runners-up

Zetta Kuhl wins High Gun Overall state title
  • Alt Text for ImageHot Springs Zetta Kuhl earned three awards at this year’s state trapshooting championship included first in the conference, first in the state female division as well as first overall.
    Alt Text for ImageHot Springs Zetta Kuhl earned three awards at this year’s state trapshooting championship included first in the conference, first in the state female division as well as first overall.
  • Zayden Laplaca earned first in the conference
    Zayden Laplaca earned first in the conference
  • Ray Sanders finished third in the conference.
    Ray Sanders finished third in the conference.

    ABERDEEN – Fresh off their state title in 2025, the Hot Springs Claybusters trapshooting team had another successful season in 2026 which culminated this past weekend in Aberdeen at the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League (SDSHSCTL) State Tournament featuring 860 athletes from 52 high school teams.

    As a team, Hot Springs won its conference and finished as the state runner-up in the 1A varsity division with 477 points, second only to Belle Fourche with 480 points. Winner/ Colome was third with 473.

    Individually, senior Zetta Kuhl was the High Gun Overall state champion with a score of 99 out of 100 while also winning the female division in both the conference and the state.

    On the boys’ side, Hot Springs’ Zayden Laplaca won first place in the conference boys’ division with Ray Sanders placing third in the conference.

    Hot Springs team members who competed at state, along with their total scores, included the following: Varsity – Ian Ferley (84), Dillon Hanis (86), Zetta Kuhl (99), Zayden Laplaca (96), Treyson Lyndoe (73), Sheldon Neugebauer (93), Ray Sanders (95), Kadin Sladky (84), Carter Walz (92) and Cale Wermager (94).

    Junior Varsity – Trapper Morgan (72),CooperNorton(62),EliO’Connor (72), Colton Osbourn (72), Kyle Seger (85), Sahen Sexton (74), Ryker Sides (81), Nathanial Thompson (80) and Brody Whitcher (75).

    Novice – Jacie Behlings (63), Casen Humbracht (35), Eli Pelkey (70) and Jaidyn Schuh (67).