Brandon Deal had the busiest year of trapshooting he's even endured.

He now has some national recognition to show for his efforts.

Deal, 18, of Petrolia was selected recently for the 2004 Junior All-American Trapshooting team.

"This was the most I got out in one year," said Deal. "I shot about 11,400 targets."

Deal, who graduated from Karns City this spring, averages about 97.25 hits per 100 attempts.

"I started out about 92, 93 percent," said Deal, who began trapshooting when he was 11 years old. "Since I've started shooting more, I've gotten better and better."

To qualify for the All-American team, Deal had to meet minimum target requirements and compete in at least three states.

He competed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and West Virginia.

"You have to get enough points to have a shoot at getting trophies," said Deal. "You can win other stuff with yardage and handicaps, but you get less points that way."

Those included competitions at the Bradford Gun Club Case Cutlery and Zippo shoots, the Colonial Classic and Keystone Open, which are regional tournaments.

Last August, Deal tied for the junior title (ages 16-to-18) in the Class Singles Championship with a score of 199x200 at the Grand American - an annual 10-day world championship tournament at the ATA complex in Dayton, Ohio.

Deal also finished eighth in the all-around (singles, doubles and handicap events) in his division.

Deal followed up that success in March at the Southern Grand in Florida by winning the junior handicap championship (94x100) and earned age group honors with a preliminary handicap with 96.

Deal won a junior award in the Singles Championship at the Pennsylvania State Shoot last year.

He duplicated that honor June 18 with a score of 197 out of 200.

Having graduated from high school, the free time should allow Deal to practice for upcoming events. He has aspirations about taking his shooting to another level.

"If I get into more shooting, I'd like to make the Olympics, or in the ATA you can make a career out of it.

"You go to a lot of shoots and win the events. You have to make it all over," Deal added.

The season to begin trying for the 2005 All-American team will begin Labor Day weekend.

Deal knows he can improve, but remains patient as he continues to develop.

"There's no certain bar; the only way you know how good you can be is to keep shooting and when others start recognizing your name," he said.