JACKSON TWP — With a runner-up finish at last year’s AIM Grand Championships, one has to wonder the possibilities of what the Evans City Youth Trap League might accomplish this time around.

The group will have two teams representing at this year’s nationals in Sparta, Ill., after receiving top-three performances at the Pennsylvania State Sportsman’s Association event June 9-10 in Elysburg.

On June 9, the “subjunior” team — ages 12 to 14 — of Eric Busa and Jack Noftz of Cranberry Township, Gunnar Watson of Valencia, Matt Bowden of Zelienople and Hunter Szymanski of Kittanning connected on 432 of 500 clay birds (100 per shooter) and 417 of 500 on Sunday to place second overall.

The “junior varsity’ team — ages 13 to 15 — of Brandon Bowden, Luke Barkley, Jeff Miller and Matyas Katzer of Zelienople and Anthony Armen of Harmony took down 454 of 500 clay birds on June 10 to place second as well.

“At the state level, anytime you’ve shot there before, it helps. Some who have never shot there before did really well,” said coach Tim Green, who is joined by his brother Andy as coach and aided by his wife, Bea.

“There are 48 trap houses in Elysburg. It’s a pretty big farm,” he added. “There were 200 to 250 kids in different divisions and about 1,000 adults shooting there at the same time.”

The nationals, known as the “Grand American Trapshoot” will be held Aug. 6-7 at the World Shooting & Recreation Complex in Sparta, which will have more than 3,000 competitors this year.

Both Bowden brothers, Barkley, Miller and Szymanski all made it to nationals last year as members of the subjunior team, so the experience of a year ago should help.

“I think they’ll do just fine,” Green said.

The Evans City Youth Trap League practices at the Evans City Sportsmen’s Club, but the shooters can do more than just practice and compete locally.

“People find out through word of mouth,” Green said. “This year, we had over 60 shooters.

“Usually, about halfway through the season, we see shooters who come back to shoot competitively. We keep an eye on their shooting and most of them are interested in jumping right in.”